(Author's note: Legolas' "down time" with Meliriel is violently interrupted. This serves as the last straw for the Prince. Thranduil will hear a word or two from his son in Chapter 7. Enjoy! –Rilwen)

-=~**The Prodigal's Son**~=-

Chapter 6

Together they walked past the Great Gates of Thranduil's caverns and alongside the Forest River. They talked of their lives and sang of their journeys, and both felt comfortable and greatly enjoyed eachother's company. Legolas revealed to Meliriel his feelings of worry for Mirkwood and the pressures his father placed on him. When he spoke to her of his mother his voice softened almost to a whisper, as if he struggled to release the words from his lips. It was from his mother that he had gotten his taste for adventure, and most of all his longing for the sea.

"I do not remember her, and have failed in my attempts to discover her past. My father is noble, but I feel the things that really matter escape him, while he is held in the wicked spell of gleaming jewels and gold."

"The Sea is a beautiful as you have dreamt, my lord. Do not worry, one day you will see it, the day you answer the call of the Elves to the Undying Lands. Perhaps your love of the Sea is a clue in your search, perhaps your mother was from the Grey Havens , or maybe even Dol Amroth."

"As it may be, one day I will see the shores of Valinor and my heart will rest and be overjoyed."

The pair paused in their stroll and turned face to face. Legolas was truly enjoying himself, and he appreciated every distraction Meliriel could provide him from the shadow.

"If only all moments of life were like this, my lady, I would not complain at any minute or hour of it. Tell me, how long is your stay here?"

"We leave for the Grey Havens in two weeks, only a month we will stay here."

Legolas stepped away from the Maiden and tried his best to hide his disappointment. He had hoped she would stay longer so he could get to know her better, but just as soon as she appeared, she would be taken away.

"I had hoped to share more days together, and perhaps learn shipbuilding from your father."

"It saddens me as well, Lord Legolas. But our stay in Mirkwood was never planned to be long."

He wondered if the light in his eyes had dimmed at her news. His last month in Mirkwood had not been pleasant at all; his cold father, Aragorn's distrust, and now Meliriel's sudden departure. He wanted to kiss her then, at least to know the feeling and taste of her just once, but as he advanced great Elven horns were blown, and voices shouted. Orcs had been spotted nearby.

Legolas cursed under his breath and drew a dagger from the sheath fitted on his belt. He then took the Lady Meliriel by the hand and rushed back towards the Great Gates of Thranduil's Caverns. All about him Elven archers emerged from the woods, shouting commands and battle cries. The whish sound as arrows were let loose mixed with yelps of pain and shouts of triumph. The filth of Orc feet trampling the grasses of Mirkwood sent the soil rumbling in anger, and Legolas felt the rage of the woods around him. The Elven Prince's blood boiled, it seemed he could not have one moment of peace or rest here anymore. Now someone else's life was in his hands.

"Run my lord! We must get back to the halls!"

Meliriel had screamed and grown frantic as the sight of the soldiers. She pulled Legolas back and away from his rage. Leading the way, Legolas ran back along the river and through the Great Gates, getting Meliriel to safety.

"Go and find your family, inside you will be safe!"

The Lady protested with a shake of her head, tugging Legolas inside by the arm. He, however, pushed her arm away and urged her the door with other Elves who had been outside and closed it behind him. His land was under attack and he would not hide like a coward behind his father's halls, it was time to fight. He hoped Meliriel would understand this. Legolas whistled a call to another guard and the Elven fighter tossed Legolas a bow which he caught with one hand. Just as quickly another guard came and provided Legolas with a quiver of arrows. As he strapped it on he yelled a command to a trio of Elves near him.

"Guard the entrance! I will fight alongside the others."

The Prince of Mirkwood strung his bow as he ran off towards the calls of the Elven horn. No sooner had he arrived at the battle that he had to fire his arrow and string and fire another one. This attack was clearly larger than the one he had fought in with Berdir. The horns had attracted not only Elven guards, but more enemy fighters; and now Legolas had the job of being both soldier and captain.

Arrows flew left and right, the clash of swords and daggers rang out in the night and the gurgling cries of the injured mixed with the last breaths of the dying. The Elves were losing, and Legolas was seeing many comrades fall. He had to think back many years to remember a time when an attack had come so close to his home, but the confusion of battle did not allow a clear mind, and Legolas could not let his skills falter because of distraction.

The Elves fought bravely, but their numbers were decreasing. The horns blew on, and after what seemed like an eternity, Elven reinforcements arrived and the battle turned into an annhiliation of orcs. Blood soaked so much soil, it appeared to Legolas as if it had rained the foul liquid. The orcs had set fire to some of the trees to spite the Elves, and many orcs where then impaled to them with Elven knives and swords for retribution, leaving them to burn and their foul stench to fill the air. Legolas was surprised to see Tirinvo run to him, blood on his face and his muscular arms scratched and wounded. In the midst of the chaos he forgot to bow, and his breaths came heavy because of exhaustion. He had to pause and gulp the air before he could speak to the Woodland Prince.

"It is over for now your highness, we can return to the halls."

Legolas frowned and rubbed his shoulder, sore from shooting. He took a moment to collect his thoughts then looked to his friend.

"You know the protocol, my friend. Get the injured to the healers, and the dead..well, you know what to do with them."

"We did the best we could my lord, we succeeded in driving them away."

Tirinvo's statement did not comfort Legolas at all, but he grinned and gave a nod of encouragement. Tirinvo bowed and went off to fulfill his duties. Tucking his knives away, Legolas turned North towards his father's Caverns and began the walk back. Soon he would reach the Great Gates and see what has become of his home if the guards had failed in defending the doors. As he walked, Legolas could not stop his blue eyes from wandering. Left and right and everywhere he looked were the remnants of the battle. He could not pause to mourn and he feared to look at the bodies long enough to recognize who they were. Legolas prayed for them as he walked.

The attacks are frequent now. They are stronger, bloodier and more feverish…the dawns come without the Elves night saw before. Father has not said one word. He has not lifted one finger from his throne to address this matter! But when I return he will lift his arse if I have to pull him from the throne myself, and he will gather our forces, and make Mirkwood a living hell for the minions of Sauron.

With a renewed spirit and determination, Legolas broke into a sprint. The Great Gates were but a few leagues away.