DISCLAIMER: Tolkien is a genius. I am not. Only Thalion belongs to me.

NOTE: This story mentions child abuse. This sequel though, deals with more of the softer side of Thranduil. So in a sense we have two sides of the coin. Either way, I have no true opinion one way or the other whether Thranduil is abusive or not. Any flames on this matter will be given to my muse Aglaia to feed to her herd of plot bunnies. Feedback and constructive criticism are welcome though! And Legolas is about five in human years in this story.

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Thranduil awoke with a groan. It seemed to him that a legion of dwarves were busy at work within his head. 'Cursed wine,' he thought. He struggled to sit up and lean against the headboard as he regained his wits. His mind went back to last night as he tried to figure out what had happened after he had had his turn at the bottle.

'Ai Elbereth!' he thought in alarm with a jolt. His back went rigid as his eyes grew wide. 'Valar, tell me I didn't!'

Legolas' frightened face sprang into his mind and he drew in a ragged breath. Thranduil had hit Legolas. He had actually hurt his little Greenleaf! "Elbereth, forgive me!" he said with sorrow.

He leapt from the bed as fast as his sluggish limbs would allow, the madness from the previous night not yet gone from his system. He cared little for the state of disarray that he was in; he was only concerned for his child.

'How could I?' he fumed at himself as he went through the corridors, many elves darting out of his way. 'Have I let my grief consume me this much? Ai, Legolas never deserved this. My Greenleaf! Elbereth let him not fear me!' His inner dialogue stopped as he halted before the door of his youngest son.

Hesitation was never a part of Thranduil's makeup, yet he did so now. He feared the result of his actions, feared them like he feared no other. Silently vowing to destroy the whole wine cellar, he went into Legolas' room.

His eyes darted through the room and saw no figure on the bed. His eyes moved to the open window where shafts of early morning light crept through to land on a head of golden hair that leaned against the bed.

Thranduil recognized the head and gave a deep mournful sigh. "Thalion."

The figure tensed but made no other movement. "Father," he said, voice laced with poison.

Thranduil frowned when his eldest did not stand to greet him. Skirting the bed, he withheld a gasp. Legolas was nestled against Thalion in his sleep as if he were his lifeline; an ugly cut across his brow. Bruises marred the visible skin and the Crown Prince tightened his hold on the small child under the scrutiny.

"Thalion -"

"Don't," hissed Thalion, fury evident in his eyes. "Leave. I will not let you harm him again."

Legolas stirred at the muted words and his eyes cleared from sleep. Looking up, he gave a soft shriek of fear and tried to leap from Thalion's arms. His elder brother kept a firm hold on him as he stood. Turning, he placed his small brother on the bed. "You are safe my little leaf," he said quietly. "Do not worry."

Legolas trembled slightly as Thalion turned back around. Standing on the bed, he moved closer to be behind his brother, peaking out from behind the broad shoulder at regular intervals.

"Legolas, I am sorry," pleaded Thranduil. He took a step forward, but Thalion blocked him.

"There is no excuse for beating a child." Thalion spoke with barely contained rage. "Least of all for the King to do so. You are supposed to set the example. How could you possibly hurt one so small and defenseless?"

Thranduil felt remorse and guilt swell within him. How indeed. "I do not say it as an excuse, but the wine was in and the wit was out. I love Legolas as I love all my children. I could not bring myself to hurt you willingly."

"Yet you did so." The Crown Prince was clearly growing impatient with the argument. He crossed his arms over his chest, his gaze challenging. Had Thranduil not been stricken with grief, he might have reprimanded his son for his outward defiance. As it were, he knew he deserved such defiance.

The Elvenking's eyes were drawn to Thalion's shoulder where a small hand rested. Small eyes peaked around the side of the green clothed arm before disappearing again. 'Ai, have I done such damage that my smallest fears me?'

"What would you ask of me Thalion?" asked Thranduil. "Ask me to say that I'm sorry? Ask me to beg for the forgiveness of my children? You have not to ask, for I do so willingly!" He turned his gaze and caught the small blue eyes that watched him warily. "Legolas, my little Greenleaf, please! I am sorry and I promise that I will never hurt you again!"

Thalion watched his father's face carefully. He grudgingly admitted that he saw true remorse within the eyes and heard a definite note of pleading within the voice of his father. Such things were rarely present within the Elvenking. Still very protective of his younger brother, he turned and swept the small elfling into his arms.

"Little leaf, I need you to listen to me," Thalion said gently. Legolas' arms threaded their way around his neck as he turned blue eyes on him. "I will always be here to protect you. Father is sorry. But it is up to you if you forgive him or not. Whatever you do, I am still going to be here. Do you understand me?"

Legolas nodded, clutching tightly at the Crown Prince's neck. Thalion turned, a warning glare in his eyes. Thranduil stepped closer, slowly as if he were trying to avoid startling an animal.

"Legolas? I am truly sorry, my little Greenleaf. I will understand if you do not forgive me, but I want you to know that I still love you and I will never hurt you again."

Legolas looked from his brother to his father with uncertain eyes. He then fixed his gaze on Thalion for a moment. "Love you Thalion," he said, hugging his brother. "Down," he commanded, pointing insistently at the floor.

Thalion frowned at both the command and the childish language. With a much- resigned sigh, he crouched and carefully set his brother on the floor. He straightened but sent another warning toward Thranduil with his eyes.

Legolas stood for a few moments, looking up at the two adults that towered over his small form. With resolute steps, he moved toward Thranduil and wrapped his arms around one of the Elvenking's legs. "I forgive you," he said quietly.

Tears came to Thranduil's eyes as he bent to hug his son. "Thank you my little Greenleaf. I love you with all my heart, and I swear nothing shall ever happen to you." He swept the child into his arms and turned to where Thalion still stood.

Placing a hand on the Crown Prince's shoulder, Thranduil smiled. "You will make a great king one day Thalion." His eldest son seemed startled by the admission. "You will rule the people of Mirkwood well. I do not fear leaving the kingdom to you."

Thalion inclined his head in thanks, though he used the opportunity more to gain his wits than anything. "Thank you father."

Thranduil grinned and wrapped an arm around the Crown Prince, happy that he now had both his sons content again.

~*~*~ There's a good chance there will be another story after this, so please review!