Hi everyone!

*cringes at lack of post*

So sorry for the delay—with midterms coming up in the week, it's been study, study, study, and I haven't been able to find the time to post.  But here is the next installment!  We hope it satisfies everyone, and thank you so much for the wonderful feedback!  You guys all rock.  =D

Insane One:  So glad we made you happy!  *grin*  And yes, it was sad when Haldir died…I cried both times.  Hope you enjoy this!

Puck:  Yes, I felt sorry for Thranduil too during the writing of this fic.  And will things work out with Legolas and his father?  Well, you'll just have to wait and see…=D

Pyromanic firework:  I am sure that Legolas will be eternally grateful to you if you go beat up those Elves.  LOL.  Glad you're enjoying it.

Erhothwen:  *smacks Elladan for taking Erhothwen's job of saying update soon*  Aw, Elrohir and Elladan are jealous that they're not in this story?  They have our apologies.  Hee hee. 

And now, on to the story!  Thanks again for all the feedback!

Legolas ran down the halls towards the palace doors, his golden hair flying behind him.  He clutched his bow firmly in both hands and pressed it tightly against his chest.  The palace doors now loomed before him, and the Elfling quickened his pace as he saw his destination come ever closer.  He reached them at last, and the young elf let go of his bow momentarily to push open the doors.

He stood on the palace steps for a moment and closed his eyes, breathing in the fresh air.  It felt so good to be outdoors, especially after having to sit still for hours on end to listen to the voice of the instructor, Ellecora, drone on and on.  //One good thing about being grown up is that I won't have to take lessons anymore,// he thought as he opened his eyes and began to move down the steps.  //I'll be able to do fun things like go on hunting trips.//

"Such a fine afternoon this is, is it not, young prince?"

The voice brought Legolas out of his musings, and he turned his eyes to the path.  It was Arrcryliss, and he was coming from the direction of the stables.

"That it is, Arrcryliss," he returned, waving at the older elf.  He had liked Arrcryliss ever since the first time they met at the archery tournament.  Since that moment, the warrior had been spending more time with him, and Legolas always enjoyed talking to him. 

"Where are you going off to today?" Arrcryliss inquired, smiling at the young elf.  He knelt down beside him, knowing how height could intimidate those without it.

"I'm going off to hunt orcs," Legolas announced with a smile, clutching his bow even more tightly.  "My mother helped me slay many of the foul beasts yesterday."

"Did she?" Arrcryliss laughed.  "Well, I'm sure you'll make a fine hunter one day, young Legolas," he told him.

The prince's eyes filled with hope as he asked, "Really?"

"Certainly," the elder told him.  "I have all my faith in you."

As he stood, Arrcryliss squeezed his shoulder comfortingly before heading inside the palace.

Legolas felt proud, though slightly frustrated and impatient at the same time.  One day?  He wished that he could be a great hunter now.  Why couldn't he have grown up long ago, so that he could already be doing more things?  It was taking him so long to get bigger—too long.  The young elf sighed as he continued down the forest path.  Until then, he could only pretend.

Legolas had not gotten very far when his foot caught onto an outcropping branch he had failed to see.  He stumbled and fell, unable to catch himself.  Cursing lightly in case his mother was near, Legolas picked himself up, but as he did so, something yonder by the bushes nearby caught his eye.

He made his way over and found five round eggs that were lying in a group almost concealed by the foliage.  He inspected them further and discovered that that they were Sparrow eggs.  Legolas looked around for the nest that they should have been in, and he soon found it tucked away in one of the branches overhead.  //Where was their mother?// he thought, and as he was looking around, he saw her, lying motionless at the base of a tree.  The young prince froze as he stared at her.  //She was dead,// he thought numbly.

Who was going to take care of the eggs, to make sure that the babies inside of them would be safe?

There had been no need for him to ask that question.  He had already known the answer, even before he had seen the mother lying there.

He was.

~*~*~

It was morning.  Legolas sat at the breakfast table, pushing his food hastily into his mouth.  He saw his mother looking at him out of the corner of his eye, and he slowed down his eating somewhat, grinning sheepishly.

Returning the smile, Feaear scolded lightly, "Now, Elleer, what have I told you about eating your food too quickly?  First of all, it is not healthy, and second, it is impolite to those around you, for it makes them feel rushed as well."

Legolas lowered his gazes guiltily and looked down at his plate.  Feaear's eyes sparkled as Thranduil remarked, "Is there not something you are forgetting to say?"

"Sorry," the young Elf murmured, barely moving his mouth.

Thranduil chuckled and Feaear told him, "Soon you will be so proper that no one here will be able to stand you."  She joined in her husband's laughter as Legolas sent them a mock glare from across the table.  She continued, "All it takes is a little time, my son."

"Everything takes time," Legolas mumbled, wishing once again that he could be older.

Reading his thoughts, Feaear returned, "Enjoy your youth while it lasts, my Legolas.  Being grown up is not like the image you have made it out to be."

 Legolas sighed.  He sat in his chair for a moment longer before pushing it back and asking, "May I be excused?"

Feaear laughed.  "Of course you may."

Once out of his seat, Legolas tore down the hallway until he reached his room.  He had been doing this for the past couple of days, for each time he was away from his room, he feared that the eggs would hatch.  He wanted to be there when that happened.  He threw open his bedroom door and hurried over to his cabinet near his bed.  He pulled open the top drawer in which the five eggs were nestled.  He had wrapped them in blankets and he had also moved one of his small bedroom lights down there to give them extra warmth.

The young Elf sighed.  How long could it take them to hatch?  He wanted to wait to tell his parents about them until they hatched, for he felt that his parents could not say no afterwards when he asked them to take care of them.  Until that time came, he could only wait.

~*~*~

A few weeks had passed and Feaear started to notice that Legolas was acting strange. The boy was always asking for extra food, and he would sneak out during strange hours to pick berries and dig for small bugs. When she would question his behavior, he would give her a timid smile and respond, "I'm only playing Atara."

She supposed his sudden interest for food was from the cause of his growing. It was true that Legolas did not have any close friends, so she supposed that he needed to find different activities to keep himself busy.  She shook her head. She knew she was worrying far too much, but she could not help it. Legolas was her only son, after all.

Gathering her pale blue robe around her, she walked down the hallways to her son's room.  When she arrived, she discovered that his bedroom door was closed.  Smiling slightly, she knocked upon it lightly.

"Legolas?" she called.  "It is time to pick more lilacs.  The ones in the vase must be replaced.  Would you like to come with me?"

For a moment there was silence.  In a short while, she heard the voice of her son call back, "No thank you, Atara.  I would like to stay in here."

The statement surprised her, but she kept her voice calm and gentle as she called back, "Alright, my Legolas.  Just make sure that you are out in time for dinner."

Feaear moved down the hallway, frowning slightly.  Her son had never turned down an offer to help her pick the purple flowers before, and it was also odd for him to stay in his room for long.  Usually the young Elf was bursting with energy and flying to the front doors with all speed if she was unable to keep him inside.  She sighed and allowed the corners of her mouth to pull up in a small smile.  She was worrying about him again.  It was something Thranduil was always telling her.  And he was right, too.  She laughed merrily as she moved down the corridors to the palace doors and pushed them open to step out into the morning sun.

~*~*~

Evening came, and it was soon time for dinner.  Feaear took her place at the table beside her husband, taking note of the empty seat of her son.  Thranduil had noticed also, for he asked, "Where is Legolas?  It is unlike him to be late for meals."

Frowning, Feaear replied, "He has been in his room all afternoon.  I asked him if he would like to go out with me earlier, but he declined.  I did tell him to be down in time for dinner."

When several minutes passed and Legolas still had not appeared, Thranduil pushed back his chair and rose.  "What is taking him so long?  Let me go up and see what keeps him," he told her, and Feaear watched as her husband walked out of the room and into the hallway.

Thranduil frowned at the still closed door of his son.  Perhaps something was wrong with him?  He could not think of what would be, since Elves did not really get sick.  Not even bothering to knock, the Elven King pushed open his son's door, and was momentarily startled at the sight before him.

Legolas lay asleep on his bed, the five young birds nestled around his neck and chest.  At the sound of the opening door, he woke, and the now startled birds began to cheep loudly.  Quieting them, he turned around and sat up quickly, watching as his father entered the room.

"Legolas, what is the meaning of this?" he questioned, folding his arms into the sleeves of his robe. 

"I…I found the eggs, and the mother was dead, so I wanted to bring them home and take care of them.  C-can I keep them, father?" Legolas asked, looking up at the elder Elf expectantly.

Thranduil's stern gaze softened as he looked at his son, but he shook his head slowly at his request.  "I do not think so, Legolas.  They need their freedom, and they belong outdoors."

"But, father, please!  I want to," Legolas protested, but Thranduil was firm.

"No, my son."

Feeling tears form in his eyes, Legolas pushed past his father into the hallway.  "I will ask mother," he declared, breaking into a run.  "I know she will let me keep them.  And don't you hurt them!" he cried as he disappeared into the corridor.

Thranduil sighed as his son left, but the Elven King did not follow.  He turned to see the five young birds wandering around on the bed.  //Well, at least I now have an explanation for my son's behavior,// he thought as he watched them. 

When Legolas reached the dining room, he cried immediately, "Atara, atara!"

Feaear stood, and smiled.  "Now, Legolas, what has happened to make you so late?"

Rushing to her side and putting his arms around her, the young Elf told her everything that had taken place since the day he had found the three eggs.  Smiling, Feaear pushed her son into the empty chair next to her and told him, "I know you will not like me saying this, my son, but your father is right."

Legolas looked at her in disbelief, but before he could say anything, she continued, "They need their freedom.  How would you feel if I kept you cooped up inside, and hardly let you out?"

"But I would take care of them, mother!  They are too young to be by themselves!" Legolas protested.

Before he could get any further, Feaear quieted him and told him, "You have a good heart, Legolas, but their home is the outdoors.  They are birds—they need the air, and the sky.  Keeping them away from that would be like cooping you up, even if you do take care of them.  You cannot keep them here, but you are right—they are too young to be by themselves."

As Legolas thought about what she said, he hung his head, for he knew she was right.  He just hadn't wanted to hear it.

"I guess you're right," he admitted finally, swinging his feet.

"Good, my son.  I am glad that you think so."  She took his hand then and pulled him up from the chair.  "How about you and I go and find a home for them outside, with some other birds that are willing to care for them?"

Legolas smiled and as he looked up at her, he answered, "Alright, atara.  I wonder if I will ever see them again, when they are bigger?"

Laughing, Feaear replied, "Perhaps, my son.  Perhaps."

TBC