Disclaimer: Lord of the Rings. Tolkien. All is this is his bar Githil, Ruthiun, Fenath and Herendil…oooh list of OCs  are growing…

Author's Notes:

This is a LONGER chapter and unfortunately will be the last one for a week because holidays will be in a week. I am sorry I cannot update daily but it has been way too much. I got another three essays today. I just can't catch up. I will get them done as soon as possible but until then I need to finish them so please understand that I can't write for about a week. I'll try to get it done earlier, maybe Wednesday.

Cyprus Tree: Thank you for reviewing and adding me to your favourites.

Sych77: Elrond has seen Thranduil before but I am told by most sources that Legolas in fact looks like his mother. That maybe why Elrond does not recognise him, also because Legolas has never gone out of the palace before.

FrodoBaggins87: I think I do write kinda like you cos I read some of your fics. Hehe. Thanks for adding me to your favourites…about time *smiles crazily*!

That same night…Legolas' thoughts are in italics.

That night Legolas stayed awake, even though Herendil was in the room. The breathing of his friend comforted him although his mind was haunted by his dreams. I don't want to dream. All my dreams are just nightmares. Nightmares of father. I wonder if he thinks of me. Has he forgotten he has a son?

Legolas walked over to the window. It was times like these he seeked solace in the stars. He remembered the last time he had done this. I was in that room, in the palace. I wonder if I'll ever go home? Home. The place where I come from but the place where I no longer belong. Legolas sighed. He looked at the brightness of the stars…it made him feel like – No. I promised myself that I wouldn't cry. Not now.    

In the royal chambers of Mirkwood, Thranduil was tossing on his poster bed. He could not get to sleep. In fact, he had not been resting well since he…he…hit him. Thranduil had been feeling guilty but he did not want to admit it. After all, in his opinion Legolas should learn to be stronger. Legolas was his son. His ONLY son. But his weak son. That was what he saw in his eyes. Only the strong survive, he knew that as a king. Legolas had to learn.

But you must be guilty, you sent him away so you didn't have to face him, a voice inside him mocked. That makes you as cowardly as him. Suddenly the king felt uneasy in his bed. He tried to stop thinking about it. Coward, his inner voice teased. His stronger side took hold. No, it was Legolas' fault. He has to learn because one day he will be a king. He is too softhearted for his own good. I did it to toughen him up. But you hurt him, his conscience protested. I was disciplining him, his other side said.  Thranduil continued to debate with himself. He got little rest from his conscience that night, but he didn't give in.

Legolas stood there, unmoving so absorbed was he by the night. Unexpectedly, a hand was on his shoulder. Legolas jumped, startled by the touch. It was Herendil.

"Did I wake you? I'm sorry," Legolas apologised.

"No you didn't. I couldn't really sleep, I've been sleeping for about a day," Herendil said truthfully. "You seek the comfort of the stars tonight?"

"I was just thinking…"

"Of your father?" Herendil guessed. He could see that haunted look in Legolas' eyes, the despair reflected in them. 

Legolas paused but decided that Herendil deserved to know the truth, after all he was a friend. "Yes."

"I used to wonder about my parents. They died in battle, I believe your father fought in that one as well. He was already a king by then. I used to always wonder if they loved me. But they never got the chance to say that. I thought 'If only they hadn't died…if only…' But it's not use dwelling on the things that could have happened. There are many things that shouldn't happen but do. But you should never forget who you are."

"How can I? How would I know if my father loved me?" Legolas said. His voice was tinged with bitterness and regret.  

"Your father does love you. Just maybe not in ways that you think that he does," Herendil soothed. "At least you still have hope while he lives. Hold onto your hope."

"But why can't he love me like I want him to! I can't hope for something I'll never get! I'll never be a prince to him. I want to be strong." Legolas revealed.

"He loves you in the way he thinks best. I'm not saying it is the best, but he does love you I'm sure. If you believe in hope you will receive it. You have to believe first," Herendil said. "I believe that some days I can feel my father, in me, guiding me. It gives me hope." Then he looked at Legolas in the eye, "You will always be a prince to me, my brave little prince. To be strong, you have to be strong inside. Believe in your hope."

Legolas stopped to think over what Herendil had said. Changing the topic he asked tentatively, "How did you come to Mirkwood and become the supervisor?"

"I was only young then, like you. Githil took me in as a foster father, he was different then. He had two other brothers, Ruthiun and Fenath. His parents had been attacked by orcs when he was young so he was more of a father than a brother to them. Fenath later died because he was poisoned, it was rumoured to be an elf from the palace staff. This was never proven. But by then he was consumed by he lust for revenge and power. Githil was changed." Herendil's eyes were focused in the distance. He didn't know why he was sharing this with Legolas, he had never told anyone before.

"Did he...did he ever hurt you?" Legolas inquired hesitantly.

 "Not before Fenath died. After his death he went crazy. He took it out on me. He said that I cursed his family. I blamed myself for Fenath's death. Githil became brutal. I would have to hide the bruises and cuts he gave me. Night after night he would hurt me – physically and emotionally. He wasn't that low to rape me but what he did emotionally was worse. Every time he hit me, he would tell me I deserved it…" Herendil looked like he wanted to cry but he composed himself and continued. "He told me that I didn't deserve to be an elf. I can remember all of it. I've wanted to block it out but I have nightmares about it. Githil was insane. To survive, I had to become like him. It made me sick but it was the only way I could. I was promoted to sub-supervisor. I think that made Ruthiun jealous, he always wanted to cut me down. Ruthiun had always been very jealous of Fenath. Fenath was Githil's baby brother. I was retreating into my shell. I would feel numb inside so I could stop the pain. The shame."

For a while, Herendil fought to compose himself. He doesn't want to cry. Herendil closed his eyes. The memories now came back in a flood, his emotions. He turned away from Legolas so he wouldn't see his face because he was fighting so hard not to breakdown.

"Through all of that, I always looked at the stars. They were what reminded me not to lose my hope. Not to let it diminish and fade, but to let it shine strong. I would have never hurt Githil's brother. Fenath was always a brother to me, if Ruthiun was being nasty. Fenath was a close friend to me, he was always the calm one. Even Githil listened to him. I could never bring myself to strike any of the servants, it reminded me too much of my own pain. I could see myself in you. I know what its like to be at the end of Githil's anger. That is the reason why I care for you. I don't want you to go through that – not ever and not alone…"

Legolas was touched by Herendil's confession and embraced him saying, "You are my friend. I care for you too."

"I swear to protect you. I will be your friend…to whatever end," Herendil said determinedly. He didn't let Legolas go, instead he held him closer. 

This is what its like to have a friend. Maybe there is hope after all.  They stood there until dawn, neither saying a word. Enough had been said.

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