To Breathe Part Two

Homecomings

Author- Arisma

Disclaimer- The main character and setting herein are loosely based on the works of the marvelously talented JRR Tolkien. I don't own Legolas (*sob*) though I am borrowing him. When I am done I promise to put him back with as little damage as possible, and I promise also to use a clean cloth to remove the drool he'll undoubtedly accumulate in the process.

Rating- R (cause I know it will eventually be smutty... yay smut!)

Feedback- Feedback equals new chapters, so please press the review button.

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He emerged from the audience with his father crestfallen, his hopes for a joyous reunion shattered. He'd known the king would be unhappy, but thought that perhaps the time away would have given him time to calm. But his father memory was long, his hatred of Elrond alone should have provided proof.

"But I'm his son..."

Legolas pushed the thought away. Such things mattered little to Thranduil. The weight of his responsibilities and ancient grudges alike had caused him to form a protective shell, keeping him safe within its confines, and all others without. With a sigh Legolas climbed the stairs, the coolness of the underground palace welcome in the midsummer heat. He saw several elves he knew and stopped briefly to speak with each, feeling more welcome with these mere acquaintances than he had in the presence of his own sire.

With a nostalgic smile he opened the doors to his rooms, setting his travel pack inside the door and surveying the once familiar furnishings. Everything was just how he'd left it, the same dove grey furniture, the same moss green walls. Tall candles glowed softly, welcoming him home, reflecting softly against the polished marble of the mantle, reflected in the mirror hung there. He sat on the edge of a high-backed chair and tugged off his boots, wiggling his long toes, sighing as they sunk into the plush carpet.

He leaned back and close his eyes for a moment, weary from both the frantic pace of the journey home, and his dashed hopes. Silently he stood, crossing the room and opening the double doors at the back. No candles had been lit here but he crossed the darkened expanse easily, well acquainted with the location of every piece of furniture after thousands of ears of use.

With a sigh he settled against the cool satin sheets, bunching the pillow beneath his head. With a sigh he stared at the invisible canopy above him and drifted, losing himself in the waking dream of the elves.

A soft knock awoke him and he sat up, noting the lack of light in the other room. He stood and walked towards the outer doors, ramming his toe on the edge of the bed. With a muffled oath he hopped the rest of the way to open the door, seeing the smiling face of Erwyddon. He cocked and eyebrow questioningly but his friend just tugged him out, closing the door behind the startled prince. "I have no shoes!" he complained, pointing to his bare feet, wiggling his toes for emphasis.

A huge grin split the guards face, "Won't need them where we're going!" he exclaimed, hustling the barefoot elf out of the palace, ignoring his friends muttered protests. Soon the woods surrounded them, the smell of wood smoke wafting out from within.

"What is this?" Legolas asked?

"Cant' you guess?" asked Erwyddon, nudging his friends ribs, urging him to walk faster. Legolas shook his dumbly, keeping pace with the others steps as they sped up, finally running through the deep dark of the woods. Ahead of him he could see a faint light but lost in the feeling of the familiar earth beneath his feet, the scent of his home, so loved, he did not question further, just ran and ran, his hair streaming behind him.

He burst through some dense bushes and emerged into a clearing, a tall bonfire glowing brightly in the background, a gathering of elves cheering noisily as he skidded to a stop. Beside him Erwyddon slowed, clapping him firmly on the back, only slightly out of breath. "Welcome home, Legolas."

The blonde prince grinned, feeling hands clasp him from all over, greetings shouted from all directions. The fire burned brightly as he made his way around the clearing, meeting up with long time friends, chatting amiably, catching up on events while he had been away. Before long a tall glass of wine was pressed into his hands and he took a deep swallow, relishing the taste of his native vineyards.

He continued to laugh and drink, feeling himself slipping towards tipsy but not caring in the company of such friends. Across the fire he saw a maid with long blonde hair dancing freely in time with the music, her skin glowing in the reflection of the firelight. "Who's that?" he asked feeling a lust he'd forgotten himself capable of stir within.

The elf he addressed chuckled lightly, resting his arm on the others shoulders. "You know her, though its been a while since you've seen her. She was just reaching her majority when you left..." Legolas shook his head, unable to reconcile the nubile creature before him with any from his memory. "She always wanted to learn archery? Followed you around like a lost pup?"

"That's Amaya??" he asked incredulously.

The other grinned and nodded, gesturing to the dancing maid. "All grown up now, isn't she?" he replied, his ears nearly swallowed by his smirk.

"You could say that." Legolas said, swallowing his eyes fixed on the gracefully swaying maid. With a sympathetic squeeze of his shoulder the other elf wandered off, leaving Legolas alone for a moment. In his minds eye he remembered the small, frail looking girl who had followed him around, her school girl crush the butt of more than a few jokes. He'd always been kind to her in a distant way, but the way she'd pined over him and had looked at him with adoring eyes earned him more ribbing than he cared to remember and so he had always thought of the situation with more than a little embarrassment.

And then she was raising a hand, walking around the fire towards him. He watched her, her hair falling in soft, unkempt curls around a heart-shaped face, her eyes glowing with warmth as she approached him. As she neared he fought an urge to laugh giddily and shook his head slightly in recrimination of his own silliness.

"Welcome home, Legolas." she said softly, her voice rich and lovely.

"Thank you, lady." he replied, bowing low and kissing her hand.

"How have you found your homecoming? Has it been enjoyable?" she queried, her green eyes locked with his blue orbs.

"Much better now." he answered without thought, a roguish grin showing his gleaming teeth. He had not released her hand.

Suddenly an arm wrapped about his shoulders and Erwyddon peered at him, his face flushed and split with an enormous grin. When he spoke his breath smelled of apple beer. "I bet you anything you don't even know who this is!" he said, his words ever so slightly slurred, gesturing to the blushing maiden.

"I venture I do know." replied Legolas shifting his attention back to the girl, watching as the color in her cheeks rose further with the intensity of his stare.

"A wager then!" cried Erwyddon, moving so that his arm encircled the maid as well, drawing the three into a tight bundle. "What will my prize be when you fail?" he queried, grinning broadly.

"Name what you will, Erwyddon, for any price is worth this nearness." he said calmly, his voice low, holding her with his eyes.

"Hmm... if you do not know, you will curry my horse for a month, before and after my patrols." said the guardsmen, triumphant.

"And if I do know?" asked legolas, his eyes never leaving hers.

"I will personally draw you a bath every day for two months at both morning and night for you to relaz the royal stresses away." he gestured expansively, leaning on the maid who grimaced sligtly and pushed him straight.

"Accepted." said Legolas, shaking the others hand, grinning.

"Lets hear it then!" cried Erwyddon, grinning, sure he was about to get a royal stable boy.

"This lovely maid is none other than Amaya, your very own sister." the prince said calmly, watching her cheeks truly redden, her eyes fixed to his face as Erwyddons fell accordingly.

"How did you know?" stammered the guardsmen, flabbergasted.

Behind him came a call, "I told him, of course!" followed by a round of good hearted laughter. Legolas merely smiled at him, not confirming or denying.

"You... you cheated!" he cried, pointing to the prince in accusation.

"I did no such thing and you know it." responded the prince, grinning.

"Why... well... " began the other, his voice slurry and his face confused.

The elf maid wrapped an arm around his waist, leading him from the clearing, her back bowing beneath the weight of the drunken warrior. As she reached the edge she turned back, her eyes meeting breifly with Legolas' before turning away and leading her brother to his bed.

Legolas watched her leaving, his eyes locked to the spot he'd last seen her for a full minute before he turned back tot he merry making around him, the sun cresting the hills before he finally made his way back to his own bed.