Days went by and still nobody, not even Thandruil's Royal Guards and army could find a trace of the Elven Prince. But still, they persisted in their search. For Legolas was dear to the entire Kingdom. This was not just because he was the heir to the thrown, but because he was dear to the King. And when you were dear to the King, you were dear to everyone.

Christine sank down onto the mattress of the bed in the room she and Frodo were staying in. Tears of worry stung her eyes. Would they ever find her friend? Despite her hope, the chances were dwindling every hour he was still missing.

Frodo entered the room, feeling much the same things she was. Wordlessly, he sat down next to Christine and took her in his arms. Grateful, Christine sighed and rested her head on his shoulder. "Do you think they'll find Legolas?" she asked, breaking the silence.

"I cannot say, but I do hope so." Frodo answered honestly.

Just then, the familiar golden cat, otherwise known as Legolas Prince of Mirkwood, hopped onto the bed. Seeing their sad faces, he gently rubbed against them, offering them comfort as best he could.

'Oh, how I wish I could tell you that I'm not lost, but right here with you.' Legolas curled up in Christine's lap and purred, hoping that might help make her feel better at least a little. He was rewarded when she cracked a small smile and stroked his soft fur.

'Ah! There is that tough girl I know so well!' Legolas gave her a cat smile and resumed melting under her administrations.

Legolas stayed with the couple all night, not wishing to leave them alone. Christine and Frodo both took turns petting him until they both fell asleep.
The next day, Thandruil called everyone for a meeting in the main hall. Curious as to what this was all about. Legolas followed everyone inside. High-stationed Elves, Men, and yes, even Dwarves filled the room. This was obviously a bigger problem than Thandruil had been letting on. Christine's heart constricted in fear at that thought.

"Elves! Men! And our newly befriended Dwarves!" Thandruil said, voice commanding everyone's attention. "I have gathered you all here for one reason: we must find another heir to the kingdom in case Legolas is never found. I know you all wish to hold out hope that he will be found, as do I, but this is an issue that we must face regardless."

Everyone murmured his or her reluctant agreements.

Thandruil cleared this throat before speaking again. "I have a person in mind for this task already and that person is being sought out as we speak."

'I wonder who it is.' Legolas wondered from his position by the front doors. He certainly could not think of whom his father meant. It was obviously someone neither he nor the rest of the kingdom had met yet. Legolas hoped against hope that he could find a way to be himself again before this happened. But on the other hand, this was what he had wanted, wasn't it? He wanted to be free of his obligation to be King and how he was.

'Not at the expense of my friend's misery or my father's.' He thought sadly. The Elf Prince mentally kicked himself. His father spoke again, breaking Legolas out of his reverie.

"This person is someone you all have obviously not met." He said, voicing what everyone had most likely been thinking.

"And there is a reason for that: I secretly fell in love with an Elven woman during the War of the Ring and she bore me a son, my first son."

Legolas nearly fell over at this admission. He had a brother? Why hadn't his father told him this? A thousand other questions raced through his mind at that moment. One thing was for certain; he was going to interrogate his father something fierce when and if he became himself again. As he thought this, gasps of shock filled the hall. That is, until Thandruil raised his hand and silenced them.

"I know this comes as a shock to you, but it is the truth and I wish no longer to hide it from you. I have been keeping the shame of this affair inside too long and it has nearly crushed my heart. Now, having revealed it, my heart is once again light. Having said that, he will arrive tomorrow morning. I shall hold a breakfast so that you all may meet him."

Thandruil dismissed everyone before they could pound him with questions. Legolas watched his father's expression. Clearly revealing his life-long secret had been enough of an emotional event to last him a while.

The Elf Prince watched Christine and Frodo go after his father, most likely to talk to him in private. Since they were great friends of his, they would be the only ones allowed to do so. 'Well, and me too.' Legolas thought, finally having an advantage in being a cat.
Legolas followed the trio into the Royal Throne Room. Even though he had been in there many times, the beauty of the room never ceased to amaze him. He briefly studied it before taking a position next to Christine.

"Why, Thandruil, why would you hide something like this?"

Thandruil sighed before answering her. "Because I was ashamed of it. I would never have had this burden removed from my heart if my son hadn't disappeared." He drummed his fingers on the throne's wooden armrest. "Who would have thought that any good could come from such a disaster."

"Do you still fear for Legolas?" Frodo asked, studying the King.

Thandruil nodded. "Every minute." Tears stung the King's eyes. "I wish that I had not needed to force him to become King. Otherwise, he would still be here and in no danger."

Legolas's heart lurched as he saw tears fall down his father's cheeks. He would've cried too if cats were able to do that.

"I love my dear son Legolas with all of my Elven heart. I shall never stop grieving for him." He choked out, the smooth, musical quality of an Elf's voice gone. Instead, his voice was ragged with a deep paternal sadness.

Legolas got up and jumped into his father's lap and rubbed his soft, furry head against his chest, trying his best to comfort him. 'I love you too, father.'

Christine smiled at the gesture. "Ah! It appears the cat likes you and wants you to feel better."

Frodo nodded in agreement. "He comforted Christine and I last night when we were fearing for Legolas ourselves."

Thandruil allowed himself a grimace, then studied the cat. Funny, he thought, how the cat's fur matched the colour of Legolas's hair and cat's eyes were the same shade of blue as the Elven Prince's aswell. They were currently fixed on his face as if to say, "It's alright."

"I shall name you after my son, dear cat." Thandruil said, after a long moment. "Your name is now Legolas." And with that, he proceeded to stroke the cat's soft fur.

'If you only knew, father. If you only knew.' Legolas thought, and enjoyed the attention. In his heart, he promised to talk to his father not just about his brother, but about how he loved him despite what he had forced him to do.

All of the revelations of that day hardened Legolas's determination to find out how to become himself again. Unfortunately, The Elven Prince knew that he would need the help of others for this task. That was nearly impossible since he was a cat and had no way of communicating with anyone. Still, he was not known for giving up even when there were plenty of odds against him. He would find a way. All he had to do was find a place to clear his mind so he could think.