Thanks to ebbingnight for helping me with Thranduil's POV.

Talfil and Ereglin greeted me at the bridge as I returned. Talfil was relaxed and laughing at something Ereglin said as I approached. They sobered and bowed as I dismounted.

My father emerged from the caverns. "Welcome home, Legolas," he said as he scooped me into a warm embrace. "I've missed you. Settle yourself from your journey and then meet me for supper. It's been a long time since I've heard word from your village."

I felt captured by my father's embrace, but I returned the gesture. "I'm fine," I said, "and I'll tell you all you want to know at supper. Eluvorn, will you see to my horse?" With a nod I excused myself. Ereglin took my pack. He and Talfil bowed to my father then followed me into the cave.

Ereglin matched my stride, then said, "Legolas, you'll have no time today, but maybe tomorrow Talfil can show you how he does archery. He's got some great ideas that really seem to work for him. You're going to love trying them out. I've ordered refreshments to be brought to your room. Would you like me to draw a bath?"

"Honestly? I'd rather go swimming."

I actually did take a bath, because protocol demanded that I report to my father before doing anything else. This restriction was softened a little because I insisted that Talfil stay with me as I bathed and dressed.

"Tell me about this method of yours," I said as I scrubbed the travel dirt from my arms.

Talfil perched on the corner of my bed, "Well, it starts with understanding that an arrow shot is really falling. There is a certain amount of forward motion, but in the end it falls to the ground."

"That's easy to see," I said. "That's why you always aim above the target."

"Yes, but how do you know how high to aim?" An intense look was on his face. He was enjoying himself.

"Well, I don't know." I shrugged. "For targets, I practice a lot. For hunting I just listen."

"Do you ever get a feel for how to aim, or do you have to think about it?"

"I do think about it. At least a little bit. No, well, sometimes my best shots are those that just feel right. But I never know until after I shoot whether it's something I think about or something that I just feel."

Talfil was grinning, "Well, that's it. You just get to know the feel of the shot, you envision it and you hit it dead on every time."

I looked at Ereglin, "Does he make any sense to you? It can't be that simple. If I could just envision the rightness of a shot I would be listening, and you can't listen to a target. Targets aren't alive."

"You've been hunting, my lord." Talfil stood and held an imaginary bow. "You've listened to the animal. You've nocked the arrow and drawn the bow. You aim. What's the next step?"

I thought back to the deer I had shot in the village. "I shoot," I said. "No, wait I envision the arrow taking a swift path to the animal's heart."

"Precisely!" said Talfil.

"Hand me a towel," I said to Ereglin. I thought about what Talfil was saying as I dried off. Could Talfil be on to something? Was there a way to bring listening to archery? "How did you figure this out?" I asked.

"My mother wanted me to be a tauron," said Talfil casually. "I had ten years of training before it became clear that I was better off as a dancer. I couldn't see dancing as a good way to help protect the woods, so I decided to become a warrior. But don't you see, my lord, it's all a matter of listening?"

"So that's all you did to hit those apples? You envisioned the arrow on its path?"

"I joined with the arrow as it flew and as it fell. I envisioned it hitting the apples as they fell. Falling is part of the dance. The whole action of archery is really a dance. I practice, to be sure. Practice is important in all parts of life, but in the end it's about listening and joining in the dance."

Ereglin handed me a tunic of light brown with stylized birds embroidered on the sleeves. I dressed distractedly. During the coming of age contest, my mind had been on other things and I had done poorly. Listening requires a lot of concentration. Perhaps the two were tied together?

"Have you had a chance to try Talfil's idea?" I asked Ereglin.

"It has helped me a little bit, I think," said Ereglin, "but I'm no tauron. Istuilalf has always said you are gifted in listening Legolas. I couldn't wait for you to get back to see if this idea would work well for you."

I smiled at Talfil, "Well, we have something to look forward to tomorrow!"

I would have liked to have supper with Ereglin and Talfil in the kitchen, but the meal with my father was obligatory. We ate in my father's private dining room, which was seldom employed, since my father preferred to eat in the company of his people. When I entered, the table was set for two, with plates of glass rather than the usual wooden trenchers. I was surprised. It was a rare thing to have my father all to myself. There were no servants about, save for Galion who stood in attendance. My father was already seated at the head of the table.

"Come in, Legolas," He said, setting his wine glass down and beckoning me. "I've missed you, nethben."

I bowed formally, as the occasion required, and took a seat at my father's right. The attention was making me uncomfortable. Either he was truly welcoming me, or there was some news afoot that he wanted to tell me. Galion poured wine in my goblet and served the first course, watercress seasoned with garlic and onion. I looked at my father, waiting for him to begin eating, but he was in no hurry. Nervously, I took a sip of my wine. It was heavy and sweet, much to my liking.

"Tell me, the news from the village. Is Brego still on watch?"

I nodded, "He was the first to greet me when I got to the village."

"Did he welcome you with open arms?"

I shook my head. "He challenged me, but then he didn't recognize me at first. He was not too happy that I brought two Sinda with me."

"That is Brego for you. Did I ever tell you about the first time that I met him?" My father took a sip of wine and leaned towards me. "I came upon the village unexpectedly. It was just Galion and I. We were headed to Menegam's village to check on some new recruits and we took a wrong turn at a fork in the road. Well, Brego was on us almost at once.

""Your not allowed here," he said. "We don't need any of your kind visiting the village." Well, Galion spoke up and tried to convince him that I was the king, but he would have none of that. Galion was fine, but I was a Sinda, and he refused to let me pass." He paused and took a bit of watercress.

"Didn't he know you because of my mother?"

"Ah, that's when I met her. She and Istuilalf overheard our conversation and came to see what the matter was. Of course Istuilalf vouched for me at once and that's when Lethriliel invited me to her mother's fire. Considering the circumstances, I knew that I could not refuse."

"What was she like?" My father was usually reluctant to talk about my mother, but there was something different about him this evening.

"Your mother? She was as beautiful as the stars, intelligent, bold and a terrible tease. She had a way of catching her tongue between her teeth and looking up at me through lowered lashes that she did when she was up to mischief. My burden as King has been very heavy at times, but with a word or a look, Lethriliel could make me laugh." He gazed into his wine goblet, then took a sip and sighed, "Eh, Legolas, I wish you could have known her."

We ate in silence for a time. The main course was fresh fish with seasoned butter and a bit of parsley. There was wild rice pilaf on the side. I was on to my second glass of wine when my father spoke again. He asked after several of the people of the village, and had a story to tell me about each one. As he related the tales, I relaxed a little bit, and began to share with him tales of a more current nature. I didn't know if it was the wine or simply a shift in my father's disposition, but I found that I enjoyed talking to him about the village.

We talked long after the dishes were cleared. When I finally took my leave, I was a little unsteady on my feet, but I remember thinking begrudgingly that it was too bad he had to be King and I had to be Prince. Perhaps without my confinement coming between us we might have been friends.

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As a soldier in training, Talfil had access to the practice range at the keep, but I wanted more privacy to try out his idea. The three of us stopped by the kitchen for some lunch provisions, then set out for the range by the lake. As usual, I led the way, running as much as possible. Talfil and Ereglin gamely followed. The light of late summer was on the woods; the trees were dressed in the dark green of the season. As we ran I could hear the song of a dozen kinds of birds in the trees. There was a tone in the air that spoke of rain to come, but I guessed that it would hold off until late afternoon or better. We set up the target some fifty paces away. It was a distance that I had no trouble shooting, although my arrows were sometimes not on the mark. Ereglin's arrows did not fare so well, but Talfil's arrows hit dead center every time.

"I'm ready to try your idea," I said to Talfil at length. "What do I do first?"

Talfil flashed me a grin that made his eyes sparkle. He spoke earnestly."Think of shooting as a dance. Not the dances of the Sindar, but the dance of the Laegrim. And listen as you dance. Listen to your bow. Listen to your arrow. Listen to the target. Envision the arrow meeting the target."

"I feel silly listening to something that isn't alive," I said, "but I'll try it." I closed my eyes and breathed out. Then I breathed in again and tried to listen as Talfil had directed. It seemed odd and awkward somehow, but I stayed with it. I breathed out the distractions, then breathed in again as I opened my eyes and pulled the bow. I sighted the target and envisioned the arrow piercing the center of the target. I breathed out and released the string. I stayed focused on the arrow as it sped from the bow, tracing an arc in the air as it flew. I could almost feel it impacting the target.

"You did it!" cried Ereglin. He grabbed my arm. "Look, Legolas, you've done it!"

"I see, Ereglin. Calm down. That may have been skill, not listening." I surpressed a laugh. I was rather proud of the shot.

"That was good," said Talfil. "Try it again."

I did try again. We worked for about two hours that morning. While I came nowhere near Taligil's proficiency, there was a definite improvement in my aim. By lunchtime my arms were getting tired.

When we were done, we sat on the edge of the bluff overlooking a little beach. In the distance were the orchards and fields that surrounded the lake. I could see the fishing boats tied up for the day at the wooden docks. The sky was beginning to haze a bit. The thunderstorm would be a fine one.

Ereglin opened the pack and pulled out a hearty lunch of fresh bread, cheese, berries and nuts. He also had a flask of grape juice that he had kept chilled in the lake. He'd forgotten the cups, so we took turns drinking from the flask.

"That was great!" I said to Talfil after eating and drinking for a time. "What village are you from?"

Talfil looked at me keenly. "I was born in Hirthor's village, though my father's a Sinda so I could have been born here at the keep. My father is rather a sop for Laegren ways, so I was raised and kept there."

"He wouldn't let you travel?" I asked.

Talfil took a sip from the flask and shook his head. "He wanted me to be pure Silvan, not bent to Sindar ways. At least when I cut my hair he let me come to the keep, but my sister? She'll stay in the village even after she comes of age."

"Your sister is younger than you are?"

"By some ten years, my lord. She's small and sweet, but take care with her. She has a temper worse than a summer storm! You might like her. You should come to my village and meet the people. They've never been visited by their prince you know."
I deferred Talfil's request politely, but inside I was troubled. I knew how little chance I had of ever setting foot again outside the keep. My father had allowed me leave to visit my village, but I did not delude myself to pretend it would happen again.

"Well," said Eriglin brightly, "will you be working more on your bow after lunch, or do we have time for a swim?"

"Neither," I said, looking at the sky. "The clouds are starting to build. We're going to have rain today." I finished off the grape juice and handed the empty flask to Ereglin. He packed it with the leftover food in the bag and slung it onto his shoulder.

"Then let's be off before it hits, eh, Legolas?"

We scrambled to our feet and made our way to the path back home. I could feel the storm building. The air had a hot and empty feel to it. The birds were still. The sky continued to darken as we walked. Soon fat drops began to fall. All too quickly it was raining in earnest. Usually I enjoyed a summer rain, but in this case the darkness in the sky mirrored the shadow that still hung in my heart. Much as I disliked being Prince, I did love my people, and I would have loved to visit Talfil's home. My father had his own ideas however, and I doubted that coming of age would change his mind on such matters.

The rain came down harder, coming in sheets.

"Legolas!" said Ereglin, "What say we visit my mother and see if she's got the tobo pulled over the talan? We can sit this one out." Ereglin's hair was plastered to his face. He sounded so earnest that I had to laugh. A rainstorm in the village was a chance to play. Not so here near the keep. Still, I would come to no harm making Ereglin happy. Besides, I hadn't seen Aegliriel since my return.

"Lead on Ereglin. How is your mother doing? It will be good to see her again." Ereglin looked so grim at my comment that at first I thought he had misunderstood me.

"Not so well," said Ereglin at last. "She has been anxious and troubled since before you left for the village. It was a good thing that I stayed to be with her, though there was not much I could do."

"Have you gotten word from your father?" I asked.

"Only once. A messenger came from the South with many messages. The company was preparing for an attack, and many sent words to their loved ones."

"Not good news, but not bad news either." I said. "Perhaps we can brighten her day."

We walked on in silence. The rain settled in to a steady downpour. I could hear rumbling from the west. The storm was not done with us yet.

Great puddles covered the ground of Aegliriel's fire when we arrived. The log where Boronel usually sat was black and shiny with the rain. I peered through the downpour, looking for Aegliriel. At first I couldn't make sense of what I saw. The fire was out, of course, still smoking as the rain came down. Through the haze of the rain I could discern a bundle of dark clothing. As I watched, the bundle of dark clothing moved. The bundle was Aegliriel weeping and broken with grief. On the ground beside her were two empty soldier boots with a sword set carefully beside them.

Ereglin ran into me. As I turned to let him into the clearing I saw his face. A look of shock and horror flew across his features. For a moment there was no marking of time, then Ereglin ran to his mother. "Naneth, NO!" he proclaimed. "It can't be true! Tell me it isn't so!" But Aegliriel just grabbed Ereglin and wept.

Talfil saw the scene, and then looked at me with sorrow. He put a hand on my shoulder. "I should not be here," he said. He vanished into the woods.

I looked at Aegliriel and Ereglin and took a deep breath. I felt that I should not be here either. The whole thing seemed so unreal. But I would not let my meldir face this alone. I set down my bow and crossed the clearing. I embraced Ereglin and his mother and as the rain came down, I wept with them. "Easy," I said to them at last, "I am here with you. We'll find out what happened."

"They told me what happened," said Aegliriel between sobs. "They attacked the orc encampment but it was a trap. Boronel was ambushed from behind. He never knew what hit him." She wiped her eyes with her hand, "He never knew. The orcs killed him. Our troops were overtaken and many died. So many. The rest of the company will come home. But not Boronel."
Eregin disengaged himself from his mother. "No, Naneth." His voice was low and trembled with grief. "No. They will answer for this. I swear to it. The yrch live yet. I won't let them win!" In one swift movement he grasped Boronel's sword and seized his hair.

"Ereglin no! Wait!" I cried, "Think of what you are doing!"

"I know what I am doing," said Ereglin, cutting through his hair. "If I had been a proper son I would have not been cowering back at the keep, I would have been fighting at his side. If I had been a proper son, I would have been there watching his back. He would not have died, Legolas. He would not have died!"

Ereglin's long hair lay limply in his hand. He stared at it as though he had never seen it before. Slowly he opened his hand and the hair spilled to the ground. He clutched the sword tightly. When he spoke again, his voice was shaking, but filled with determination. "I swear, Legolas, I will avenge my father."

I shook my head, "Oh, Ereglin. You don't know what you have done. When my father hears of this …"

"When your father hears of this he will be proud," said Ereglin defiantly, "Who knows? Perhaps he will take me with him this time."

"This time? Ereglin, what are you saying?" I grasped Ereglin by the shoulders, and shouted over the rain.

Ereglin's face paled and his eyes grew wide. Water dripped from his chin. "Sweet Eru, didn't he tell you Legolas? You had dinner together last night. Surely you know."

"Know what, Ereglin? Tell me!"

Ereglin's voice came to me through the rain. "Your father is headed South, Legolas. He leaves tomorrow."

Betrayed. The anguish that poured through my heart made it hard for me to breathe. My father. Leaving. He might not return. He didn't even tell me. And here I was, confined to the keep. My father the warrior, Nador the warrior, Boronel the warrior. But Boronel was no more. When would it be my father's turn? And here I was, being safe as a tauron. Hiding from the Enemy. Hiding, not fighting. It was all so wrong. And my father betrayed me. He left me home hiding while he went to fight the Enemy and didn't even tell me!

Anger at my father surged. "Enough!" I yelled. There was only one thing that I could think of to do. I grabbed my tauron blade from its sheath and began hacking off my hair. I would join Ereglin as a warrior.

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