Thranduil stood in the doorway of his son's room for quite some time, unable to bring himself to go any further inside.

It had been quite some time since he'd seen his son looking so vulnerable.

Not since his own beloved had been killed and Legolas lost his Mama.

Slowly, he moved further into the room and took a seat by the bed, noting the flushed and slightly sweaty skin of his son with concern. Legolas was silent, but clearly distressed.

Thranduil moved a little closer, not fully realising that he was singing his son's old lullaby, until the distressed look on Legolas's face started to ease. Legolas's shivers stopped, as Thranduil gently took his son's hand in his own.

His son had been an easy baby, only upset or restless when he wanted his Father or Mother to hold him.

He could remember holding his son in his arms, big eyes staring up at him as he sung this song.

He only vaguely heard Elrond entering the room, prompting him to fall silent.

"It's amazing how a voice can provide so much healing."

"Hmm… not enough."

"No… not enough."

….

The song faded in and out as Legolas drifted into consciousness. He ached all over, but when he tried to rub at this ache, he found that his arms refused to obey.

His eyes slowly opened, too sensitive for the sunlight. He closed them again instinctively, trying to move his head away from the light, not getting far. He tried again, a little slower to give his eyes a chance to adjust.

He was in his room that he shared with Estel, a familiar figure sitting by the bed.

When he tried to move, the other elf raised their head, sighing in relief.

"Legolas." Thranduil took his sons' hand in his own, "How are you feeling?"

Legolas's eyes met his father's tear-filled ones, throat dry as he tried to speak. When he couldn't, he just squeezed Thranduil's hand.

"Do you remember what happened?"

Legolas thought to himself for a moment, before his eyes widened, and he struggled to sit up, "Gweithir!" He managed to croak out, "Where's Gweithir, I- "

"- He's fine." Thranduil gently pushed him back down, "Aside from possibly having a sore throat from screaming."

"I- "

"- He missed you, but he is unharmed." Thranduil patted his son's hand softly, "Sleep. Your son and husband will be here when you next wake up."

"A-and you?"

"… I'll be searching for the ones who did this to you."

Those were the last words Legolas heard before he fell back into unconsciousness.

…

The next time he woke up, it was to the sensation of lips being pressed against his forehead.

"I'm so glad you're okay." He heard Estel whisper, indicating that the King knew that Legolas had woken up.

Slowly, Legolas opened his eyes, to see Estel staring down at him, a relieved, but warm smile on his face. In his arms, was a sleeping Gweithir.

"He's… alright?" Legolas croaked out, only relaxing when Aragorn confirmed what his Father had said a few hours ago.

"Just a little shaken up." Aragorn whispered, "He missed you… we both did."

"It'll take… more than an… arrow or two… to stop me."

"Let us not tempt fate."

At that moment, Gweithir stirred in his Sire's arms, eyes blinking open sleepily, focusing on Aragorn, before those eyes looked over to see Legolas staring at him.

Almost immediately, Gweithir was struggling, limbs flailing madly as he reached out for Legolas, high pitched shrieks breaking free in his desperation to be reunited the elf.

"Alright, alright." Aragorn chuckled fondly, grateful that his son at least got the chance to see his Mother again. Gently, he placed Gweithir in the gap between Legolas's chest and right arm, taking care not to aggravate Legolas's wounds, "There you go, back with Mummy."

Gweithir babbled in excitement.

"Everything's fine." Aragorn almost seemed to sink into a nearby chair, as though the world had been lifted from his shoulders, "Everything will be fine."

Legolas nodded in agreement, "Everything… will be fine."

….

Soon, the news of Legolas's return swept through the city and everyone breathed a sigh of relief…. Followed by a surge of anger and confusion.

Who had dared to attack their Prince Consort?!

…

"Estel, you are worrying too much." Legolas gently scolded his husband, "I heal quickly, remember?"

"I know… but the image of you falling to the ground, covered in blood will haunt me to the end of my days." Pressing a quick kiss to the back of Legolas's hand, Aragorn fought to keep his face straight and not tremble at the memory, "The people will be glad to see you again."

"And I them." Legolas winced at a sharp stab of pain, "Although maybe not for some time yet."

Taking deep breaths to try and dull the pain, Legolas heard Gwitheir snuffling in his crib.

"He's about to cry." He whispered, "Can you go and get him?"

Aragorn quickly went and grabbed the baby, handing him over to Legolas who immediately started to hum the lullaby that his Father had not so long ago, hummed to him.

As the song came to an end, there was a gentle knock on the door.

"Enter!"

The door opened slowly, to reveal a familiar child.

"Faramir." Aragorn couldn't stop the warm smile, "How can we help?"

Eight-year-old Faramir shuffled nervously in the room, biting at his lower lip.

"I-I have something to tell you… something very important."