The large doorway loomed ahead of him, he felt the presence of the golden warrior next to him and it steadied him, as it always had.

Time to move forward, Legolas told himself firmly. Get this first meeting out of the way, let them all see that I am recovering and stop any wagging tongues. We need to be united if we are going into the forest together. He suppressed the shudder that ran down his spine at the thought of going near the dark tower again. He would not be alone this time.

The elf at the entrance to the dining room pushed the door seamlessly aside and he walked smoothly inside, chin slightly raised, defiance flickering in his eyes.

Unconsciously the two of them made quite an entrance, Glorfindel was always a spectacular sight, his mane of hair flowing around him, blue eyes sparkling. Legolas, next to him looked even more otherworldly, he was the moon against Glorfindels' sun. There was a muting of voices but not a complete silence, Legolas noticed with a small measure of gratitude.

He turned to smile at Glorfindel and send him towards his place at the main table, with Elrond. As he looked that way he dropped his head respectfully at the Lord of Rivendell.

He continued on his way, feeling like he traversed a gauntlet, towards the table where Elrohir and Elladan were sitting, speaking quietly to each other.

'Legolas, my friend, glad I am to see you well.' Said Rumil walking towards him and leaning forward to take his arm in a warriors greeting.

Legolas was delighted to see him and warmly returned the greeting, a genuine smile overtaking his pale face for a brief while.

'We feared for you when we found signs of you in that humans camp.' He murmured softly, so that only Legolas could hear.

'Haldir thought you lost.'

Legolas started at this, the thought hadn't crossed his mind that they may have found signs of him on the way here and he cringed inwardly at the thought of what Haldir would have done. His heart twisted a little in sympathy for him. He did not want pain for his former lover, he only wanted him to find his own way without feeling like at any given moment it could all come apart.

'I am sorry that he may have suffered needlessly, I am as you see me, perfectly well.'

'Is there no way to fix what has broken between you?' Rumil asked

Legolas gave him a sad smile but shook his head.

'It is no good my friend, I love him truly but we make each other so unhappy. He looks for my every misstep and I doubt my own strength when we are together. He diminishes me and I make him insecure. It is not how I want to feel for the rest of my days. It is not what I want for him, he deserves someone who brings out his laugh and his smile and that is not me. I am changed from the sad little creature he plucked off the forest floor all those years ago.'

He felt a stern gaze resting upon him then and looked over to see Haldir looking strained and serious, across the room from him. He allowed his lips to curl up into a soft smile and he lifted his hand to his heart and bowed. Haldir returned the gesture and then looked away. Grey eyes haunted and sad.

Legolas grasped Rumil once more on the arm and then continued on his way until he stood before the twin sons of Elrond. Elladans great hound raided himself from under the table and came to stand on the other side of the elf so that he was flanked by them both. Two large guardians against the world. He rubbed their ears affectionately.

'My lords' he drawled, sketching an elaborate bow towards the twins and enjoying their surprised laughs. It warmed his heart, to hear those voices, as it always had done.

He eased into the seat that they had left for him and felt his shoulders drop in relief, he had made it thus far. Half the battle won, he thought with a trace of irony.

'How are you feeling today Las?' asked Elrohir, all careful concern. He was looking him over thoroughly.

'I am well my friend, I feel stronger every day. Another few and I will be ready to get back on the training field, we will be able to ride within a week according to my Lord Elrond.'

Elrohir still looked concerned and his hand toyed with the fork in front of him, Legolas reached out to him and rested his hand over Elrohirs'.

'I swear to you, I am well, you need not fret over me. Please Elrohir, be easy.'

Elrohir lifted his eyes to his friend and their gazes locked with a surprising intensity.

Elladan let out a faint snort at that and the others turned to him in surprise at the inelegant sound, the spell broken.

'You know my brother not at all Las, if you think that he will stop worrying about you. He will fuss and fret and drive us all to distraction for many weeks yet.'

Although the words sounded hard his face was gentle and he patted his brother on the back with a laugh.

'That is probably true.' Legolas acquiesced with a fond smile at his friend.

'But I would not have you different Elrohir, for a kinder soul I have not found and it is precious to me beyond anything.' Elrohir blushed but couldn't help looking pleased. Then turning towards Elladan, Legolas said.

'And you my Lord Elladan, are you prepared for an adventure in the great wood? Has your aim improved since last we met, it surely can not have gotten worse!'

And he found, for all he had dreaded this meal, by having his dear friends with him, laughing and joking, it was a welcome relief to his solitude and pushed the darkness of the last few weeks far into the recesses of his mind. Not gone, but smaller, less of an obstacle to be overcome.