Welcome back! I apologize again for that shortie chapter. It was my first attempt and I was real excited to get something up. Be assured the others will be longer!

Disclaimer: I do not own Legolas and other LOTR characters, k.?
CHAPTER 2

A week had passed since the foal's arrival, and yet the poor horse had no name. On some days Kunama would take him out of the stables. They never went close to the palace grounds or any other elven settlements in Mirkwood though.

The foal was learning fast. Already he had mastered the skill of running, and Kunama was having a hard time looking after him.

On one such occasion, Legolas accompanied them to a majestic waterfall near the heart of the forest. They spent most of the day there, and lost track of time until Niki turned up to tell them it was getting late. The Prince only then noticed that it was already dark, and hurried towards the palace.

Before they had reached it though, a great torrent of rain cascaded down from the heavens. Forks of lightning were etched across the sky and the rumble of thunder was deafening. The foal shrunk back in fear behind his mother.

They stopped for a few minutes, as the foal was too scared to go any further. Niki, Legolas and Kunama were trying to calm him down for a while. After a while he seemed ready to go on. They were just setting of when a bright fork of lightning struck a nearby tree.

The topmost branches caught fire immediately. Kunama neighed to her foal to stop him from running away, but it was too late. He was tearing through the trees, wild with terror. The mare started off after him. Legolas was about to send Niki back to the palace to get help when he realized that she had already left, except she was making her way through the branches of the trees above. Having no other choice, Legolas followed suit and leaped up.

The foal had run out of the forest by the time Kunama reached him. Legolas was amazed to see that even the fleet mare had trouble keeping up with him. The foal had run quite a distance when a great shadow appeared before him. Legolas panicked and reached for his bow. He was about to load it when he felt Niki's had on his. "It is Thowra," she whispered.

The foal stopped (with some effort) and trotted to his father. Kunama caught up with him and the two parents examined their child worriedly. Legolas and Niki ran up in a while. Another fork of lightning cut through the sky. The foal pricked his ears, but did not run. Suddenly Legolas got it. He walked up to the family and placed his hand on the foal's head gently.

"For your Speed and Grace, your agility and nimbleness," he said softly "I will name you Lightning"

Lightning set the plain ablaze once more as the foal arched his neck proudly, and Thowra neighed in approval.

The storm parted as they returned, but it left Lightning, high-stepping back to the stables, and the few elves and animals who saw his small but magnificently proud and beautiful form wondered if the storm had, indeed, left some of its power to him.
END OF CHAPTER 2

That was slightly longer! I won't be updating until the 25th or so, unfortunately, as I'll be going to Japan for a week. I'll see you all when I come back, and meanwhile, keep those reviews coming, k? A big thanks to MoroTheWolfGod for sending me my very first review!

-Chaveline