A/N: A reallllyyy big thanks to Heidi. This chapter would have been SOOOO crap without her! You see we spend alllll lunchtime just talking it over and that way you get this!!! Which I hope you enjoy reading as much as I loved writing it! Oh and don't worry he's not gone nasty, he's just a little stressed, that's all. Come save me Leggles! *Does damsel in distress bit but no one appears* bugger.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

In front of the tiny blonde prince a forest stretched out as far as his eyes could see. It was dark and he held his bow protectively out, ready to do battle with whatever came his way in this jungle. Something shifted next to him and a muffled voice was borne on the air. Keeping perfectly still the elfling strained his ears. The voice came again. He smiled, carefully putting away his bow and pulling out his dagger. He was ready. With a swift movement of his arm he plunged the blade deep into the orc that appeared out of the nearest shadow. It screamed and fell to the floor.

A sudden bright light flooded Celen's blue eyes and he reached up a hand to shade them.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Legolas felt an abrupt pain in his leg and frowned. Bending down from his seat at the breakfast table he lifted the corner of the cloth covering it. Stood as if holding an imaginary knife was his youngest son, squinting up into the sudden influx of daylight.

"What're you doing down there Celen?" He said picking the prince up and resting him on his lap. The little elf smiled up at him proudly.

"I was in a jungle. It was big and dark and scary. But I wasn't scared." He replied shaking his head violently, sending tremors down his blonde hair. "I had my bow and my knife. Nothing could get me."

Legolas smiled softly.

"A warrior Celen."

"Yes. And I had my hunting dog. She was big and fierce and growled at everything that might get me."

"Where is Arwen anyway?" Legolas enquired the familiar canine face not visible.

The little prince frowned and pouted folding his arms.

"She's outside. I'm not allowed to bring her in here anymore. She doesn't know it's wrong to eat other peoples food."

Legolas grinned, and ruffled the young elf's hair. Celen shrieked and jumped up at the disturbance, his little brown booted feet balancing on his father's knees. He was in every way a tiny version of his father. With an indignant look he reached out and attempted to return the messed up hair. Legolas just laughed and grabbed the prince's wrists.

"Let me go! It's not fair! I'm too small!"

"If I let go you'll promise to be good?"

Celen nodded, smiling and Legolas released him. With a cheeky grin Celen reached out a hand, scuffled up Legolas' immaculate hair and jumped from the chair racing across the room to the door, his laughter trailing out behind him like the string of a kite. The older elf's strides soon caught up with the fleeing Celen though and he scooped him up and threw him in the air. Legolas caught him deftly and Celen wrapped his arms around his father's neck their noses inches away from each other.

"Can we make the bow today please? Please?" He pleaded pulling the cutest face he could, making his blue eyes deep pools of beseechment.

"I think we can do that."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Silvery flakes of wood fell in a winter snowstorm; they whirled around floating with all the grace of a perfectly formed snowflake. Celen watched them with round eyes, with every stroke of the lathe a few more detached from the silver length of wood clamped tightly to the workbench. The little prince had spent an age searching through the piles of prospective timber with his father, looking for the right one, the one that would eventually be his weapon of choice. Eventually they had found it buried in some forgotten corner of the cavernous workshop. It was a branch from one of the tall mallorn trees, snapped off in a wild wind last winter.

Next they had measured it, Celen standing as tall as he could. However much he stretched though the branch still had to be cut in half to fit his diminutive size. After all the arguments about designs and carvings the little piece of wood was now clamped firmly down and was being stripped to the correct shape.

Legolas was absorbed in his task, his bright blue eyes fixed on the work, his hands skilfully shaping the irregular branch into a miniature bow. It was as though he had done it a thousand times thought Celen watching eagerly.

Through the wide-open double doors of the workshop the sky was framed. The sun climbed higher and higher as the pile of wood shavings mounted. The great light giver peaked then began her descent into the shadow of the night; in fact it was late afternoon before the finely arched bow was handed over.

"It's beautiful." Gasped Celen when holding it for the first time. He ran a hand over it like an expert feeling the ridges and dips in the wood. At each end of the arch was a minute little carving of a dog, a forepaw raised in readiness. Joining each of the little images was two splendid Greenleaves and right in the centre was an eight-pointed star. Smiling happily Celen blinked back a tear and hugged his father.

"Thank you ate're."

"It's alright. Tomorrow I can teach you how to use it."

"Why not today?" Celen pleaded.

"It's getting late, almost time for tea."

"Oh."

For a while the two elves stood framed in the doorway of the workshop, watching the world, their hands clasped together. This was the third time Legolas had done this and each time he could not believe the feeling of pride it gave him. Seeing one of his children hold their first bow was like seeing Celen's first tentative steps or hearing that first perfect word fall from Áruinne's lips. So absorbed in his musings Legolas did not feel the tug on his hand.

"At'ere!"

Rising from his reverie Legolas turned his attention to Celen.

"What is it?"

"Can I ask you something?"

"Anything Celen."

"Well, if someone tells you not to tell someone else something is it wrong?"

"It depends on what they told you Celen. Or who told you." Legolas replied getting his head around the small elf's words.

"Pretend that Atara told me something, and pretend that she told me not to tell you would that be wrong?"

Legolas' interest was roused at the word Atara. He knelt down so he was on eye level with the blonde elfling.

"What did she tell you little one?"

"Pretend," he said emphasising the word "that she said I couldn't tell you what Áruinne said to Celorfiwyn."

"When did this pretend conversation happen Celen?" Celen's face was twisted with worry and he was chewing his bottom lip. "You won't be in trouble don't worry." Said Legolas smiling forcedly at him.

"Well the night we got our reports I had a bad dream so I was coming to see you and Atara and I was walking past Áruinne's room. She was talking to someone. A boy. It was Celorfiwyn I think. He was talking about showing her something- Ate're are you mad?"

Legolas' blue eyes had clouded over and his mind was numb. Was he hearing what he thought he was? Áruinne and- he couldn't bring himself to think about it. His only daughter and Celorfiwyn. He wasn't good enough for her and neither of them were of an adequate age. His stomach twisted painfully.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to tell! I was going to keep it secret, honest!" Celen gabbled seeing the look on his father's face.

"No, no it's not your fault Celen. You did the right thing. I'm not mad with you. Stay here."

Celen could only watch as his father ran off. He sniffed clutching his bow; automatically his thumb went to his mouth.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Kĩyara lounged back in the throne as though it were an armchair; she was sat sideways in it, her legs hanging over one armrest. In one hand she had an apple the other a book. She swung her slippered feet and nodded to imaginary music in her head. She came to the end of the page she was reading and screwed up her face. Carefully trying to balance the book on one knee she attempted to turn the page. A rivulet of apple juice dripped from the pale flesh of the fruit onto the parchment leaving a trail of black ink as it trickled down the page. Kĩyara cursed and gave the apple a death glare. Just then book and apple were sent flying as she jumped in surprise.

"Kĩyara!"

Kĩyara was about to retort angrily seeing the apple roll away gathering flecks of dirt, but then she saw the look on her husbands face and stopped. Legolas strode right up to her putting his hands of the armrests of the throne and leaning towards her.

"You knew! You knew and you didn't tell me!"

"What are you talking about?" Replied Kĩyara innocently.

"You know what I'm talking about! Don't lie. Celen told me about your secret keeping."

Kĩyara felt a glimmer of fear. Legolas had never challenged her like this before, as though she were a subordinate. It unnerved her.

"You know now, what difference does it make? They're happy together, leave them be." She said quietly looking away.

"It makes the world of difference Kĩyara my dear." Kĩyara winced, those words were not meant affectionately, and in fact they cut deep. "I'm going to put a stop to this. They're too young. Do you hear me? They're too young!"

Kĩyara looked distastefully up at her husband, anger flickering in her eyes, defiance written all over her face.

"Can you see why I didn't tell you? At least with me they had a little time. Don't do this Legolas." She implored.

For a moment she thought he was going to hit her and tensed never taking her eyes from his. Then he turned and strode away.

"Don't do this Legolas! Don't!"

He didn't even turn around. It was then that she knew she'd lost him. Just when she thought they had everything worked out, when they were finally getting along it blew up in their faces. Maybe they were destined to live in such a way, brief periods of contentment before one of them screwed up. The poem he had composed for her on the cliff top that night seemed like an age ago. Respite was brief from turmoil in their lives it seemed. Banging her fist down and swearing as badly as she knew how Kĩyara followed him. She wouldn't let them break again. Not now.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Anger boiling over in his mind Legolas set off to find his errant daughter. Not only had she broken all the codes of her position she had made Kĩyara lie again. It had all seemed too good to be true and now he knew he was right, all the time they had been teetering on the edge of another abyss. Another rocky descent, another long struggle to reconciliation only to find the land was an eternity of mountains to be conquered time and time again. Legolas could have sworn all those years ago that he thought this a place of sanctuary, the place all elves aspired to reach. Now he was here Middle Earth looked more attractive than it had ever done before, it held so many good memories that it obliterated the bad ones. Here the trouble was now; there it had all been in the past.

Unluckily for Áruinne and Celorfiwyn Legolas found them before his anger had had chance to abate. He came across them sat at the top of the stairs leading down to the main courtyard. For a moment he wavered, unsure, hearing Kĩyara's words resounding in his head. No he thought shaking his head pushing them from him, he wouldn't let her rule his life, he was Áruinne's father and he could decide what he wanted. Kĩyara wasn't going to make any more decisions for him.

Áruinne was sat her head on Celorfiwyn's shoulder, his arms wrapped around her waist pulling her close. Legolas took all this in, noted the body language, saw Celorfiwyn's hand on his daughter's thigh. He also saw Áruinne spot him. Her eyes widened, her frantic hands scrabbling to get away from Celorfiwyn.

"Ate're!" She swallowed. "I thought you were with Celen!"

"Get up." Legolas did not shout but his voice was venomous. The seven elves stood hurriedly, their faces tensed with apprehension.

"The rest of you go." Legolas said loudly his eyes fixed on Áruinne who was quailing under the look. "Not you! You're staying here Celorfiwyn."

Celorfiwyn returned and stood beside Áruinne, his eyes lowered, not daring to look up. The courtyard below had ceased its hum of activity, elves stopped their swordplay, others looked up from their chattering, and children stood still their games forgotten. The sudden silence travelled further than any loud noise would, curious elves from further afield approached the main courtyard of the palace, their interest aroused by their king stood above them with his daughter and another elf.

"Ate're everyone's watching…" Áruinne mumbled quietly her blue eyes flicking over the assembling crowds.

"Let them! Let them know! I don't care!"

Just then Kĩyara came running pushing her way though the crowds and pelting up the stairs. Áruinne gave her mother a hurt look.

"Don't look at her for sympathy Áruinne! There is none for you!"

"Mother you promised." Áruinne said ruefully, ignoring her father.

"It was Celen, I never said anything."

"Atara-"

"Don't talk to her! She's not part of this. Áruinne look at me. Look at me!" Tearfully Áruinne looked up, her eyes meeting her father's. Fear reflected in them.

"What do you have to say for yourselves?"

"I'm not sorry my lord. But don't blame Áruinne. Please." Celorfiwyn said to his feet.

"No! Celorfiwyn, don't. Ate're I'm not sorry either. You can't tell me who I can and cannot see!" Áruinne said forcefully, unable to let herself watch Celorfiwyn sacrifice himself. She remembered their first kiss and not too soon after their first argument. She wouldn't stand behind her name and let Celorfiwyn suffer. She had promised that she wouldn't after all.

"I can and I will Áruinne. I forbid you ever to see each other again. You're far too young to be making decisions like this!"

Kĩyara stood to the side, listening. She dare not intervene; she had never seen Legolas so angry. She felt at a total loss. Her heart panged with sympathy for Áruinne, she knew what it felt like to be in her position. People treating you as inferior because of things you had done, which when it came down to it, had nothing to do with your personality at all but everything to do with your name. However Legolas was her husband and she loved him. He never used to be like this, but she should have seen it coming. He had only one person he could turn into and that was his father. It seemed it had happened, the way his blue eyes sparked with fury, the drawn line of his mouth and closed brow spoke only of his father. Should she give up on him as Legolas' mother had done? Unable to watch him change? No Kĩyara thought determinedly. She never gave up and this was no exception. She could handle him that she knew but it was unfair to let Áruinne suffer. Kĩyara put her hand on Legolas sleeve like she had done so many times before, a pacifying action that always used to work. Now he threw her touch off.

"Kĩyara I said stay out of this! It nothing to do with you now."

"It is Legolas, it is. I'm her mother and I can't watch you do this!"

"It's you being her mother that got her into this situation in the first place!"

Kĩyara clenched her jaw, hurt. But she brushed off the pain it caused, letting it fuel her anger instead.

"I don't see your problem, she's not pregnant is she? She's done nothing wrong! It's only you that's making it that way!" Kĩyara shouted her voice rising to a high crescendo.

"So it's my fault?" Legolas shouted back.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Far below in the hushed crowds six pairs of eyes watched transfixed. Rilandë squeezed her sister's hand tightly and looked worriedly at her. Unurith could offer no comfort to her distressed sister. Anthas gave his brother a sidelong glance and they looked away, knowing that this was no time for jokes. They could only watch and wait. Above the young elves head's Elebriwien turned her stricken eyes on her husband. Elrol had his face set.

"What has he done? Oh Elrol…" The elf frowned and put his arms around his wife and their baby. What had he done? They had never suspected this. He had always been a good friend with the Prince, inspite of their differing backgrounds, but this was too much. Elrol could not believe his son's stupidity, had he no idea who he was getting involved with? He thought he had brought his son up with more sense. He clutched Elebriwien tighter, he could sense her pain as she buried her head in his shoulder unable to watch.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"So it's my fault?"

"It's nobody's fault! There's nothing wrong to be at fault for!"

"So when this…boy… thinks he can sleep with our daughter and she lets him, there's nothing wrong!?"

If the silence could deepen it did. Áruinne's face coloured up and she looked determinedly at her feet, her eyes welling up with fresh tears. Celorfiwyn gently touched her hand and she grasped it tightly, never wanting to let go. Unfortunately Legolas saw the gesture and rounded on the two instantaneously, Kĩyara forgotten.

"After all I've just said you have the nerve to do this in front of me!"

Timidly Celorfiwyn stepped forward, letting Áruinne's hand fall. Below them his family watched him, unable to support or berate him, whatever they felt like.

"With all due respect my lord," his voice was shaky, "I love your daughter. I would do anything for her. Anything. I'd die for her."

Áruinne's clear blue eyes looked up, sparkling wet with the tears running down her face. She opened her mouth to speak, tell Celorfiwyn the same that she loved him too and would follow him to the ends of the earth. The words turned into a scream as she saw her father draw his knife and hold it to Celorfiwyn's throat.

"Do you mean that Celorfiwyn?" Legolas whispered bitterly looking into the young elf's eyes. His blood was raging with anger, betrayal and above all the hopelessness that he felt. He had gone too far to turn back now, but he wasn't sure that he would ever be forgiven, only the bitter feelings coursing through him kept him from backing down.   

"Ate're no." Choked Áruinne, fear coursing through her.

"Enough!" Kĩyara yelled, sending the knife skittering across the flagstones with a well-placed hand. "This has gone far enough! It has got to stop." Her powerful voice broke the tense moment.

"What do you want me to do Kĩyara?"  

"I want you to treat them properly, they don't deserve all this. If they're happy let them be together."

"And have them end up like us? This is exactly what we went through, do you want her to have all the problems we did?"

"Don't bring us into this! We were older."

"But not much more sensible it seems. I'm trying to make sure they know what they're doing!"

"By threatening them? By making them feel small and worthless? By humiliating them and yourself?"

"I'm doing all I know how to stop them ending up in a situation like we did. Do you remember when you found out Kĩyara? You couldn't even tell me! Do want Áruinne to have to face that? All the voices and the whispering? No-one understanding?"

"And you are? You just as bad as those who looked down on me! It was your problem too remember! It was you who had to tell your father you'd got me pregnant, a girl he'd never heard of! We weren't married for another year. After what we did you have the cheek to treat Áruinne like this?"

Áruinne looked at her parents with wide eyes.

"I was…" She stammered.

"Yes you were. I'm not saying anything more about it." Legolas told her shortly, "this is different. I'm trying to stop you because I know what it was like. I forbid you ever to see each other again. This is not right, Celorfiwyn I can't believe you would take advantage of my daughter like that. You knew she didn't know the consequences of her actions!"

"You can't do that Ate're! I love him!"

"I can Áruinne, I can. I can decide what's best for you because I've been through it all before!"

"Why can't you let them be Legolas?" Kĩyara said shaking her head.

"Because if it goes wrong then what? They get saddled with each other for the rest of their lives just like we did! Would you want her to turn out like you?"

Kĩyara's face fell into sadness, the gleam in her eye winking out as barely contained feelings boiled over. Surges she hadn't felt for an age resurfaced, reminding her of the old days when she couldn't control her power, when it ruled her emotions and life completely. A small breeze stirred sending autumn leaves spiralling up around her. Just as the first tears started to spill down her face in hot rivulets the rain began to teem from the sky. It was so heavy and cold that within seconds the entire courtyard was soaked. Elves ran in every direction to get what cover they could. Eventually there was only one lone elf left. Staying to be soaked to the skin along with the elves at the top if the stairs.  

"You bastard." Was all that Kĩyara could mutter, her voice choked "You complete bastard. How can you say that when you're stood here being every inch your damned father?"

Legolas looked away from her, unwilling to believe his own words, no longer able to trust himself. He hadn't meant it he loved Kĩyara. But they just fell from his lips before his brain had registered them and now it was too late. He knew he had to end this now.    

"Celorfiwyn your father's waiting for you. Go. I never want to see you near my daughter again. Do you understand?" Celorfiwyn nodded his head, watching the tattered ruins of his life fly away. The rain dripped from his hair and from his saturated clothes, he knew his father would have something to say to him as well. People would always know him now, he could think of nothing to keep up his spirits. A great abyss loomed before him, days of working automatically, unable to think because of the pain it would cause. He gazed into Áruinne's eyes for a second before turning to walk down the steps, barely controlling the urge to burst into tears.

The rain still beat down in raging torrents.

Legolas looked through the veil of water towards Kĩyara. He wanted to reach out to her, tell her that he was sorry. This time it truly was his fault and he wanted to make it better. She had her head down, seemingly unaware of the torrential and soaking rain, her chestnut brown hair in sopping ringlets, curled by the water. He could hear her sobs through the pounding of the rain on the paving slabs. Her hands were trembling and he had never seen her look so weak. His most desperate desire at that moment was to hold her, to pull her close and comfort her. Tell her he was sorry, that he hadn't meant it. He never managed to though because at that moment Celen appeared. His arrival made Kĩyara look up. Rushing forward she knelt beside the little prince and wrapped her arms around him.

"My baby…" She whispered kissing the side of his face. Celen was crying too, the sobs interrupted by the occasional sneeze or sniffle. Just like the rest of them he was soaked through, drenched with the cold rain.

"I want to go inside Atara." He mumbled clinging tightly to Kĩyara's neck, allowing himself to be lifted up and carried away.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The heat of the bathroom was a welcome change from the bitter cold rain outside. In here it was warm and comforting, the room was large and the marble and stone decor created a balmy atmosphere. The great porcelain bathtub of the royal chamber was sunk into a bed of pinky marble. It was just large enough for two people and Celen looked lost among the bubbles floating on the surface of the water. Kĩyara knelt by the side of the tub her hand trailing in the water, trying to forget what had gone on.

"Time to wash your hair little one."

"Noooo." Celen whined.

"I'm afraid so."

Kĩyara rubbed the liquid Deluwiel made together in her hands. Gently she massaged it into a lather, scooping up Celen's blonde hair and running her fingers through it. Celen screwed up his face and clamped his eyes shut, only opening them when all the froth was washed from his hair. He smiled sweetly at her but then became more thoughtful.

"Atara I'm sorry. I didn't mean to tell. Is it all my fault?"

Kĩyara smiled sadly at him. He had the most honest and trusting nature it almost hurt to listen, he was always ready to take the blame because he thought things were his fault.

"No baby, it's not. And nothing anyone says, not even what Áruinne might say, will make it your fault." Behind them the door opened silently, neither mother nor son noticing. Legolas stood in the doorway his face tormented.

"I heard you and Ate're shouting. I didn't like it."

"Me neither Celen, but sometimes it happens." Kĩyara sighed, helping the prince climb out of the bath. He stood dripping on the towel laid on the floor, his blonde hair falling down his back. As Kĩyara reached round to get another towel she spotted Legolas at the door, her expression gave nothing away her face remaining blank. She smiled at Celen wrapping him like an Eskimo in the fluffy cream towel. He smiled back and reached up to kiss her. Kĩyara gave him a hug breathing in deeply and holding back the tears.

"Off you go little one. Straight to bed mind!" She said tapping him on the back as he pattered away from her. When he reached Legolas he stopped and looked earnestly up

"You two'll make up won't you?"

Legolas smiled sadly.

"Off you go to bed."

Celen nodded and stretched up wanting a goodnight kiss. Legolas obliged then watched the tiny wet footprints disappear along the corridor. When Celen was out of side he came into the room closing the door. Kĩyara didn't say anything but let him come and kneel facing her. She looked down at her lap, twisting her hands together.

"Kĩyara I- I don't know what to say. I'm sorry. I didn't mean any of it. I-"

Fresh tears began to spill down Kĩyara's face staining her cheeks.

"It hurts Legolas, it hurts so much."

"I'm sorry Kĩyara, I never meant to say it, and I didn't even know I'd thought it."

Kĩyara looked up their eyes meeting. His were filled with anxiety-laden grief hers were hollow.

"It's not that. Legolas you're turning into Thranduil. Your putting me through exactly what your mother went through. Thirty, forty years ago you'd never have said those things, you'd never have acted like you did today."

"Don't you think I know? I'm trying Kĩyara, I really am. But I need you, Kĩyara please don't give up. We'll get through, we always do. It's just I feel so responsible; it's a big kingdom with so many people. Sub-consciously I know Mirkwood worked, I don't know-"

"Legolas, you don't have to rule like your father. Believe me I've seen you; you're a born leader. You just don't trust yourself. I couldn't do it I go on gut instinct. You've said it before you think, I don't. Trust yourself."

"Can you forgive me Kĩyara? I've not been able top stop thinking about what I said infront of everyone. I hate what I did."

Kĩyara lifted her hand to Legolas' face for a moment. Her heart went out to him. She found she could forgive him, she could forget the pain, push it to one side knowing that it was in the past. Looking at him like this, so vulnerable, was like looking at Celen when he thought he had upset someone.

"Kĩyara I screwed up. I did it all wrong. I've hurt you, Áruinne, Celorfiwyn even. I've humiliated myself. I just-"

Kĩyara silenced him with a kiss, unable to listen. As she kissed him she felt the feeling return to her body, all the warmth that had left it seeped back in slowly, the hollowness inside filling out into a tight knot of desire in her stomach. The humid air was heavy with scent of lavender soap and bubbles making Kĩyara drowsy. Legolas ran his hand down her back, pulling her closer to him. He revelled in the way their bodies melted perfectly together.

"Maybe forgiveness gets easier…" Kĩyara muttered softly, her breathing deep.

"We do it a lot…" Legolas replied against her lips. Tenderly he peeled the damp gown from Kĩyara's shoulders.

As Legolas kissed her, running his hand through her hair, over her bare skin, Kĩyara knew she hadn't lost him at all. As long as they kept going after each other, as long as neither of them gave up on the other, they'd be alright. Both knew this now with a deep understanding. Life might be full of mountains to conquer, and they might feel like they were going it alone, but in truth they were never alone as long as they didn't let go.

A/N: Whoo! How adorable!! Sorry it took so long but it was the most funcahpter to write! Angry Leggles, a sane Kĩyara and an apologetic Celorfiwyn! He he he. Anyways, I have two words for all those out there who know what I mean *winks at Kat* THE TWINS!!! *grins*