Okay. We've reached the final chapter. I know how impatient you all have been with me. He! He! Read on, then.

"Legolas. Don't." Aragorn put his hand over Legolas's as his friend started to peel away the blanket that covered the body lying on the stone altar. Legolas looked up, determination flashing in his eyes. "I must, Estel. I have to, just for one last time."

"But the sight might not be good."

Legolas smiled weakly. "I know. Still, this is my father." He resumed pulling the blanket off the body…and would have fainted dead away if his heart was not strong enough as it was. The corpse was terribly burnt beyond recognition, totally disfigured. It was all charred and scorched. Never had he seen anything like it. And to know that it was his father slowly killed Legolas deep within his soul.

Aragorn and the twins had to look away from the terrible sight, but Legolas kept on staring at it. He reached out and touched the twisted looking hand and gently grasped it. He wanted to say something but no words came out; Legolas was all choked up with emotion while the swelling in his throat was yet to lessen.

Time passed, and Legolas still stood unmoving, holding on to the burnt hand. He was oblivious to a slight commotion suddenly occurred at the chamber entrance. He was also unaware to Aragorn's and the twins' sharp intake of breathe.

"M…my lord?" Sir Jaden called out timidly. "My Lord Legolas, there's…err…someone here to see you."

Legolas took a deep breath. He pulled the blanket back over the body and slowly turned around. His downcast eyes firstly sighted upon the short and stout figure that he had not seen for quite a long time. Frowning in surprise, he muttered, "Gimli? What are you doing here?"

The dwarf, the one that had befriended the Mirkwood prince since a hundred years ago, frowned back at him. "Me? What am I doing here? Crazy elf! Can't you see the person here beside me?"

Legolas's eyes snapped upwards to see the tall figure standing at Gimli's right hand side…and was instantly assailed by chaotic and greatly overwhelming emotions. "This can't be…" he mumbled, but no sound came out. He couldn't believe his eyes. Am I dreaming?

Legolas stumbled forward, his hands outstretched. But he had been through a lot, plus the still bleeding wound in his side and the exhaustion from his recent fight began to take its toll. His vision swam out of focus and his body felt lighter and lighter….then everything just faded to nothingness.

*****************

The first person Legolas saw when he came to was Aragorn, who was bending over the task of wrapping the bandage over the wound in his side. The ranger smiled. "Glad to see you awake, Legolas."

But Legolas closed back his eyes, whimpering. "It's just a dream?" Tears of disappointment began to slip through the corner of his eyes. "Why? Why must it only be a dream?"

"Was it such a good dream that you despair so?" a familiar voice suddenly commented. Legolas's eyes flew open. He turned his head towards the voice and saw his father's beloved face looming above him.

"Father…?" Legolas blinked his eyes repeatedly, thinking that it was only a trick to his eyesight. But no, his father was still there, sitting on the bed beside him and stroking his feverish forehead.

"Is it…really you?" Legolas's trembling hand reached up hesitantly, trailing his fingers over the chiseled and handsome features of the elder elf. Thranduil let his son touch his nose, his cheeks, his eyes, his hair, everywhere… "Yes, it's me, little one. It is I."

"Father!!!" Legolas instantly jerked upright and threw himself into Thranduil's arms, sobbing helplessly. "I thought you were dead! Valar! I thought you were already dead…"

"No, I'm not, my son. I'm here. I'm here. Shh…everything's fine now…" Thranduil held his son tightly to his breast as the prince wept. They were unaware when Aragorn slipped silently out of the chamber, giving the reuniting father and son some privacy.

"H…how? The body…?" Legolas then pulled away and looked up to his father, still having some difficulties taking this all in.

"It was Linden's." Thranduil kissed his son's temple, and began to relate on how Linden had come to rescue them both but died in the process. "We were already at the door when a burning beam collapsed. He did the must heroic thing ever by shoving me away right through the door at the last second…but he couldn't get away in time to save himself."

"Oh, Linden…no…" Legolas began to cry all over again, thinking about the commander's great sacrifice for the king. Thranduil hugged his son even tighter. "The shove caused me to tumble down the cliff at the back of the cabin, and I fell right into the river below. I was disoriented at first, then began to swim to shore and collapsed there, unconscious. I don't know how long I was out but when I finally came around, I found myself face to face with a band of dwarves."

"G…Gimli?" Legolas looked up, his eyes opened wide in disbelief. So I didn't imagine it all. I did see Gimli just now, did I? "You met Gimli?"

Thranduil smiled in amusement as he wiped the tears off Legolas's cheeks. "Yes, I met that blasted friend of yours. He is something, that dwarf! He kept asking me what had happened to my son the crazy elf! "

Thranduil went on to tell how Gimli and the other dwarves began to have a heated argument. Gimli was adamant to help Thranduil rescue Legolas but the other dwarves were not so keen to come along, thinking that Mirkwood should settle its own problem.

Then Gimli had shouted in rage, "The spiders were our problem a hundred years ago but the Mirkwood elves had helped us kill them all! I don't know about you but I'd hate to be indebted to these elves forever! Let them be indebted to us for a change!"

So, with those words, the other dwarves finally agreed to lend a hand. They were suddenly very willing to do anything to help.  They had gone back to the burnt cabin but saw no one there, and had moved on to the palace only to know that everything had been taken care of by Legolas and his warriors.

"The dwarves are so disappointed," Thranduil chuckled. "They really want us to be indebted to them." Thranduil kissed the crown of his son's head. "I'm so proud of you, my son. They told me all that you've done to get back the palace from Cayel. You have the true trait of a king."

Legolas shook his head. "I don't want to be king."

"Oh, but you already are, Legolas. You have already become one." Thranduil laid his son's head back onto the pillow. Brushing his fingers over the prince's brows, the king whispered, "Sleep. You need to rest."

"But Linden…"

"He will receive the most honorable burial service that befitted the great warrior he was, but only after you are well enough to attend. So sleep," Thranduil coaxed.

"Don't leave me…" Legolas whispered back before his eyes glazed over.

"I won't. I'll never leave you again. I promise," Thranduil replied, stroking Legolas's head lovingly as the prince drifted off to sleep. His eyes were sad as he stared at the horrible looking abrasion on Legolas's neck. The king had this wild urge to run to the dungeon and choke the life out of Cayel for doing this to his son. But he was not willing to leave Legolas's side, not after what they had been through.

*******************

The next day when he woke up, Legolas found himself staring into the bearded face of a dwarf. A little startled, the prince lay still and blinked in confusion. "Gimli?"

The dwarf harrumphed. "Well, who else do you think?"

Legolas grinned sheepishly as he rose up to a sitting position. He also became aware of another presence; Aragorn. The ranger came forward with a cup in his hand. "Here. Drink this."

Legolas wrinkled his nose in disgust. He knew what's inside the cup. "I don't think so."

"Fine. I'll call the twins in here so they and Gimli will help me hold you down while I force this thing down your throat!"

Legolas glared at his friend, but took the cup anyway. He drank the content in one gulp, and then grimaced in pain and revolt. "There. Happy?!"

Aragorn shook his head as he took back the empty cup. "Not at all, my friend. I know how you hate this potion but you need it to heal faster."

The prince's eyes were downcast, immediately chastised for snapping at the man. "Sorry. I know you mean well." Aragorn smiled in return.

"So, now you've met Gimli?" Legolas turned the conversation around.

"Of course he has met me, you crazy elf!" Gimli said. "He's right in front of me!"

"Wow. You're so grouchy today," Legolas commented, grinning.

"Me? Grouchy? You should see Tarang!"

"Tarang is here?" Legolas's eyes widened. He and Tarang had had a brief history before, when the said dwarf had kidnapped the Mirkwood prince and kept him in captivity for days.

"Yes. And he is incredibly angry to find out that there are no Redwood elves for him to kill!" Gimli continued. Legolas had to laugh at that. "Thank you, Gimli. My father had told me everything, on how you insisted to help us with our troubles."

The dwarf was a little embarrassed. "We did nothing at all, except for keeping him company coming here."

Smiling, Legolas reached up and grasped Gimli's shoulder warmly. "Still, I'm indebted to you for that."

"If you say so, Legolas," Gimli said. His face was a little sad, though. "I just found out that your brother Keldarion has sailed over the sea. I'm sorry to hear that. I know how close you were to him."

Legolas nodded in appreciation for Gimli's concern. He looked around and asked, "My father? Where is he? He is fine, isn't he?"

"He is well, Legolas. He is just tired, that's all. The king has been spending the night here in your chamber, watching over you, refusing to leave even for a minute. The twins finally managed to persuade him to take his meal in the dining hall," Aragorn answered.

Soon after, the door opened and Thranduil walked in. His eyes lit up in pure joy when he saw that Legolas had already woken. "Good. You're awake. How are you feeling?" Gimli scooted aside as Thranduil came forward and sat on the bed near his son.

Legolas smiled back at his father, reaching up to hold his father's hand. "A little stiff and sore, that's all…thanks to a blasted draught. Don't worry, father. I'll be fine."

"Oh! I nearly forgot!" Aragorn exclaimed suddenly. He went to a corner to get his saddlebag, and pulled a parchment out. The ranger returned to the bed and gave Narasene's letter to the prince. "Your sweetheart sent you this."

"Your sweetheart?" Gimli raised his bushy eyebrows. "Why, Legolas, you have a girlfriend now?"

"Shut up, Gimli!" Legolas was blushing. Gimli only laughed as he stood up. "I better go downstairs and get something to eat. I'm famished! Say, do you serve other things besides bread and lettuce? I'm no vegetarian, you know."

Aragorn laughed out loud. "I'm not a vegetarian, either! Let's see what we can find in the kitchen."  The ranger and the dwarf walked out of the chamber. Thranduil was staring at his son expectantly. Legolas was a little uneasy. "What?"

"Aren't you going to read that love letter from her?"

"Yes, I will…when I'm alone. And it's not a love letter."

"Oh. I see. What kind of letter then?"

Legolas rolled his eyes. "The usual stuff. She just telling me how she's doing, that's all."

"It looks so thick just to simply tells you how she's doing, right?"

"Father!" Legolas grumbled.

"Okay, okay. I won't probe anymore. But I think it's time I have that long awaited discussion with Glorfindel."

"What do you mean? Father…"

"I find that his niece is truly wonderful. She is perfect for you. Narasene will make you a good wife."

"Please, father. I'm not ready to get married yet."

"Then when?"

"I'll tell you when I'm ready."

"Yes, but when? I think it's about time I have grandchildren of my own."

Legolas groaned. "I'm not having this kind of conversation right now. Drop it, father."

"Fine." Thranduil stood up and walked to the door. "I'll leave you with your love letter. In the meanwhile, I think I'm going to send a message to Glorfindel to set a meeting."

Legolas immediately jumped out of his bed and chased after his father. "Meeting? What meeting? What are you going to do?"

"Leave it to the elders, my son."

"Father, don't you dare set up a wedding for me behind my back. Remember the last time you arranged a bride for Kel? We all ended up…"

"…prisoners in our own dungeon. Yes, I know the story, Legolas. I was there. Calm down, will you?"

"How can I? You are marrying me off!"

"Who says I'm marrying you off? And why is it so terrible?"

"Because I'm not ready!" Silence greeted him. Legolas then realized that he had followed his father into the receiving hall and they both were standing at the top step. They were not alone.

Legolas slowly looked around and found himself stared by many pairs of eyes. They were the visiting ladies from Lamaris, and they were looking back at him with such interest and awe. Thranduil was chuckling. "I forgot to tell you that these ladies here just arrived from Lamaris to share their expertise in dress making. They might help make your wedding attire…if there's a wedding, that is."

"Err…why are they staring at me that way?" Legolas frowned, uneasy.

"Why? Because you don't have a shirt on!"

Legolas instantly looked down and gasped in dismay. His father was right! His chest was bare. Except for the white bandage wrapped over his wound, he was completely naked from the waist up, exposing his well sculpted and muscle toned body for everyone to see. Blushing furiously, the prince spun on his heels and ran back to his chamber.

Thranduil grinned. "I beg your pardon, my ladies. My son is still recuperating from a serious injury."

At a corner of the hall, the twins sighed in exasperation. "What a short glory time we had. I was having the best fantasy ever with these beautiful maidens, then our half naked friend appeared and all the ladies turned to stare! Swell!" Elrohir grumbled.

"Yeah. We instantly become undervalued all of a sudden," Elladan responded.

Aragorn and Gimli beside them began to laugh. "Why don't you take your shirt off? Let's see these maidens' reaction to that!"

"I don't think that's a good idea!" Gimli voiced out. "They might scare the ladies away!"

The ranger and the dwarf laughed crazily at Gimli's joke amid the twins' murderous glare. Thranduil was beaming ear to ear as he entertained his guests, answering their concerned inquiries about Legolas's health. Legolas's magnificent beauty had totally captivated them.

Upstairs, in his chamber, Legolas began to read Narasene's letter, smiling now and then in happiness. Obviously, Narasene was doing very fine indeed.

Outside, the kingdom of Mirkwood was finally back in order. The horrific event of recent days began to fade from the people's mind, but not completely forgotten.

Underground, in the dungeon, a certain elf sat huddled in a corner. As his eyes drew to a slit, he clenched his fists to contain his wrath. "Until next time, Thrandulions. Until next time…"

THE END

Finish already! How about that? Go ahead, feel free to kill me!

I can't thank you all enough for reading and reviewing this story. You guys are GREAT!!!  THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

So, as tradition, here are the faithful reviewers in alphabetical order : AbbiCat14;  Alia;  angelbird1224;  Aranel Greenleaf;  Aurienia;  BonBon;  DiamondD;  Elenillor;  Elven-Spirit; Enigma Jade;  Fairylady;  feanen;  goblz;  Goma Ryu;  Jamie;  Kayo;  Kirsten;  Lady Lenna;  LegolasLover2003;  lishmi;  LOTRFaith;  Lucy;  Mcat;  MoonBolt; MoroTheWolfGod;  Paris;  PokethePenguin;  Szhismine;  tapetum lucidum;  tbiris;  yeen;  Zoya; (is anyone left out? Tell me, okay?)

And to Meagan, my beta, THANK YOU for being such a life saver!!!!

There goes my last story of pre LOTR. Do you want more? I will return with more sequels, and they will be about LOTR and post LOTR. You are going to see the whole Fellowship, Gollum, Eomer (oooh…I love him!), Faramir, and I might introduce you to Kash and Dash, Cayel's grandchildren. So wait and see! Give me a whole month of a break, okay? I will return in June, hopefully.

See you soon!!!! Oh, and keep on smiling, everyone!