*sniff sniff* the story is almost over…only one chapter left after this one…unless u all want an epilogue…

"Arwen, have you seen Legolas?"

"He is with his sister. Is something the matter?"

Elsa stepped closer to her good friend, who was seated on a marble bench in the gardens.

"I haven't seen him since yesterday. I wondered if he knew yet."

"Knew?"

"About his father. I couldn't bear to tell him yesterday. I just want to make sure he isn't angry with me for not telling him."

Arwen smiled warmly. "He does know and he is not angry at you."

Elsa returned the smile and lifted her skirt to leave but Arwen's voice stopped her.

"Elsa!"

Elsa turned back, her head cocked to one side. "Yes?"

"There is also something else he doesn't know that you may not either." The smile disappeared from Arwen's face. "His mother died yesterday. Tathren is telling him as we speak."

Elsa's hands dropped her skirt and flew to her mouth. "The Lady…?"

"Yes," Arwen confirmed sadly. "I thought you should know."

"Thank you for telling me," Elsa said quietly as she turned once again to leave. As she was walking through the main courtyard, she saw Legolas rush out in a hurry on his horse. Elsa jogged to the gate and watched him disappear into the woods. She wandered back into Mirkwood, wondering what Legolas was thinking.

Though his leaving troubled her, Elsa convinced herself that he would come back soon and she decided to go back to the gardens to soothe her mind. She learned from Tathren that Legolas had taken the news of his mother's death poorly. When he did not return that night, Elsa grew anxious.

Legolas was gone for three days, returning on the fourth day in mid-afternoon. He had seen his sister and Elsa talking together, but had avoided them for he did not wish for company. He went straight to his old chambers; it had not changed since he left it so long ago. How was it possible? How could he feel like everything was the same and at the same time feel that everything was entirely different?

His perplexing thoughts were cut off by a sudden guilt- a deep, sharp pain that made his body go rigid. He felt self-centered and the very thought of the behavior was sour in his stomach. He regretted leaving Mirkwood. He had left Elsa, all alone and probably needing him. Had he put himself in front of her? How could he have done such a thing?

Legolas held his head with his hands as a horrible headache came about. And what of his sister? She could have used his strength as well.

Legolas cried out in pure frustration with himself. He flung himself onto his bed and beat his clenched fist into his pillow. The first was for his mother. The second for his father. And the third strike was for all the pain he had suffered.

Having fully exerted himself, Legolas rolled onto his back and let his silent tears fall down over his temples. He closed his eyes softly and succumbed to dreams of his childhood as the voice of his mother entered his head. Legolas…

Prince Legolas entered the throne room, but not by his own two feet. Two servants carried the young prince between them.

Lady Meren gasped when she saw her son (looking at the age of twelve if he were mortal.)

Legolas had a black eye and his clothes had been torn in some places. Blood trickled from a corner of his mouth. He was thoroughly covered in dirt.

"Legolas!" Lady Meren was about to rise but the hand of her husband stayed her.

Lord Thranduil stood to his full height and stared hard at his son. "Did you try to ride that wild mare?" Thranduil's voice held no compassion.

Legolas nodded and kept his head bowed.

"Did I not forbid you to do so?"

Legolas gave no reply.

"Answer me, boy! Did I not tell you that the horse would easily throw you?"

"Thranduil," Lady Meren's voice was pleading, "must you humiliate him in front of others?"

Thranduil gave a gruff snort and then waved the servants away. He ignored his wife's tug at his sleeve and continued to lecture the already broken-spirited prince.

Legolas was silent the whole time, answering with "yes, sirs" when appropriate. When his father did not speak for a along time, Legolas chanced a glance up towards his mother.

Lady Meren was no longer looking at her son. She was not looking straight ahead, perfectly poised and composed as she knew her husband wished her to be.

Legolas wished badly that his mother would reach out to him so he could run to her and hug her tightly. But he stood shamefully in his father's shadow.

"Go wash up," Thranduil finally said out of frustration. "And change out of those clothes!"

"Yes, sir." Legolas bowed and retreated from the room.

The prince was heading down the hall when he heard his mother's sweet melodic voice calling out to him. He stopped and turned.

"Legolas…Legolas…"

"Legolas!"

Legolas sat upright in his bed. He shook his head. How long had he been asleep? Five minutes? Five days?

"Legolas, are you there?"

It was his sister. Legolas got off his bed and called to his sister, "Come in."

Tathren entered and when she saw her brother she hugged him tightly. "We were all so worried about you. Someone said they thought they saw you come in. How are you doing?"

"I'm fine, sister," Legolas answered slipping from her embrace. He noticed her become all business.

"Legolas, you are now the Lord of Mirkwood. And it's not that I wish to push you into anything, but you must begin looking for a Lady to sit beside you. Dear brother, there is much for you to do. I hope you have had a sufficient time for mourning for this evening there is a banquet in your honor."

Legolas blinked, trying to take in all of Tathren's words as she began going through his limited wardrobe.

"You must put on some fresh clothes. The sun is beginning to set; you haven't much time."

With a quick kiss on his cheek, Tathren left her brother.

Legolas thought as he dressed. Had life continued in Mirkwood even though he was gone? Plans had been made without him? He realized now that he had always thought nothing important would happen without him being there. And now the people - his people - wished for him to take the throne immediately. Not only that, but they wanted him to find a Lady.

His musing turned to that very subject as he left his room. His Lady. Elsa. He knew immediately that he wanted her as his bride. He began his search and started with her chambers.

Elsa was not there. Legolas grew impatient as he searched every place he could think of. He finally went to the gardens and there she was, sitting under a large willow tree.

The sun had nearly set and the sky had begun to darken to a beautiful velvet.

Elsa looked up when she heard Legolas' soft footsteps. She rose, her back against the trunk of the tree.

Legolas smiled at her beauty. She was absolutely charming; or perhaps he was just intoxicated with her. He drew up close to her and took both her hands in his. "Elsa," he said softly, "I am to be the Lord of Mirkwood."

"Yes," she answered quietly.

"I want you to be my Lady."

Elsa was astonished. "Me? Legolas, I-"

"You are the child Celsius, the wise and immortal Lady of Fire. But most importantly, you are the maid who has my love for eternity."

Tears formed in Elsa's eyes. "I love you, too, my lord. I will consent to being your lady."

Legolas smiled and leaned down to bestow a sweet kiss on her lips. He took a step back to look at her fully. "Im meleth le, nîn Celsius."

"Legolas."

The couple turned to see Aragorn approaching them. There was a twinkle in his eye and a small smile on his lips.

"Yes, Aragorn?" Legolas said.

"It is time."

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