@Hp-Azn : Yes. Arwen and Leggy in a bathtub. A prequel is already in the making!
@The Nameless Elf : You've asked for Leggy and Nara. All right, mellon. This chapter is especially for you!
@Aranel of Mirkwood : I know what you feel. I cried buckets myself watching ROTK. I don't know. The film had this massive emotional impact I couldn't control myself. I cried when Pippin sang, I cried when the Rohirrim charged at the Pelennor Field, I even cried when I saw Legolas wearing his circlet! Ah…A true prince at last!
@Menthol : Kiss? Okay, mate! You asked for it!
@Namarie2legolas : Thranduil is coming right at you right around the bend! Get ready! Sorry. Can't reveal the traitor yet. I agree with you. 'Master N Commander' is truly beautiful and magnifique! It teaches us the great responsibility a leader has to bear in leading all his men to complete their mission and achieve their goal.
@Karina : Yep. Another story is brewing in my mind. Wait and see! Something definitely will happen after this but not the way you're thinking. Keep guessing! Wait. You went to a movie at 12 am when you have an exam the next morning? Are you a bionic woman or are you simply losing your mind? I know! You're too high with LOTR fever!
@Irish QT : I'm glad to be of service. But the angst has to wait for a while. Leggy needs some happy moments.
@feanen : A bet, eh? Good. Let's bet on something then. How about Leggy's poster?
@purplesmackers : Good to see you're back! Thranduil pissed off? I'm working on it!
@Alkvingiel : I'm glad the seagulls annoy you. He! He! They are some kind of a symbol to Leggy's plight.
@Nikki1 : The story will come, I promise.
@Queen of Shadows : No, not for long. Have fun at ROTK!
@Hobbit Hugger : We share the same euphoria. Until today, I've seen ROTK twice! Can't get enough of Leggy in his princely attire! The circlet! Ai! His circlet is stunning! And look at that elegant garb he is wearing!
@Gwyn : Nara will enter the picture right about NOW!
@Fire Breathing Ferret : Drop dead gorgeous indeed!
@LegolasLover2003 : The seagulls continue to follow him because I said so. Now go back to sleep and dream of Leggy!
@Lucy : I hope your cat gets better soon!
@Sailor Elf : You can smell it? What are you? An elf? Oh, right. Indeed you are!
@Brazgirl : Kel here sends his regards!
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It was close to midnight. Unable to sleep, King Thranduil was spending the hours in his study reading a journal when a breeze from outside suddenly burst through the open window. He went still, listening intently at the message the wind was happily sighing to him.
"Ai Elbereth!" Thranduil jumped out of his chair and walked hurriedly out the door, heading for the grand entrance of the palace. The night guards there were startled to see their king so excited.
"Is something the matter, my lord?" they asked, perplexed. Thranduil didn't answer but threw open the great double doors. He almost expected to see someone standing outside, but the wide receiving porch was empty.
Thranduil didn't lose hope though. He walked forward onto the courtyard, his ears still trained on the whispering breeze. He believed what they were saying. They were never wrong.
His son was coming home.
"My lord?"
Jaden had left his post to appear beside the Mirkwood king. The commander gazed at the absolute joy on Thranduil's face and instantly knew what caused it. "He returns."
Thranduil nodded. "Yes, he does."
Under the puzzled stares of the other guards, Jaden kept standing beside Thranduil in the courtyard, eyes trained towards the palace grand gates. Not long after came the high sound of a horn, breaking through the deep silence of the night. Almost instantly the gates were opened, revealing a large troop of riders coming from the woods.
Thranduil unconsciously took several steps forward. His eyes were intently focused on the approaching procession, searching for the face of someone very dear and precious to him.
The much-awaited person finally came into view, sitting tall and graceful on his mount. His golden hair waved in the wind like a banner. His radiant elven glow was as bright as the full moon above. And his smile...it was a smile of someone who had just found his true heaven.
"Father." Legolas quickly dismounted and flew into his father's waiting arms.
"Valar!" Thranduil exclaimed, hugging his son tightly. "Legolas! Why didn't you tell me you were coming home?"
Legolas pulled away and grinned sheepishly at the king. "Uh…Surprise?"
Thranduil laughed and embraced his son once more. "Indeed! And what a nice surprise this is!"
Laying his face against the crook of his father's neck, Legolas smiled through his happy tears. Except for the time when Thranduil had come visit him in Minas Tirith a year ago, this was their very first reunion after Legolas had joined the fellowship. And it was even more meaningful because the prince now knew that his long journey was finally complete.
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It was a wonderful afternoon the next day. Legolas awoke to the joyful sound of birds singing and squirrels chirping outside. The trees were also singing in the breeze, elated at the return of their beloved prince. The balcony door was wide open, letting in the breeze with their wondrous songs to caress his hair and skin.
Still lying in bed, Legolas gazed a bit drowsily through the opened door at the scene outside. He sighed in contentment. It's so good to be home.
Legolas closed his eyes and smiled, willing himself to fade back to sleep. He wanted so much to talk to his father, to exchange stories and news, but he also knew they now had a lot time later to do exactly that.
Upon his son's arrival, Thranduil had immediately steered Legolas into his old chamber and told him to get in bed. "I know you're weary. The long journey from Gondor must have been tiring for you. We'll talk tomorrow, but rest for now," the king had said as he kissed his son's head. "Welcome home, my son."
Thank you, father. I'm glad to be home too, Legolas' heart whispered back as he recalled his father's words before he had fallen into dreamless sleep last night.
"Still abed at this time of a day, my lord?"
Legolas' eyes flew open at that sudden yet wonderful voice. He quickly swung his head around…and went absolutely still.
A raven haired maiden was sitting on the edge of his bed, gazing back at him with love shining bright in her green eyes, looking incredibly beautiful in a pink gown made of finest silk. His royal signet ring hung by a thin gold chain around her slender neck. A smile was on her full pink lips, and her face glowed with full radiance, showing her happiness at seeing him after a long period of being apart.
"Am I dreaming?" Legolas uttered in disbelief as he slowly lifted his hand and traced his fingers down the maiden's downy cheek.
"I do not believe so," she softly replied, taking his hand and placing it on the left side of her chest. "Can you feel that? Can you feel my heart beating? You won't feel that in your dreams, my love. This is real. I'm real."
"Ai Elbereth! Nara!" Legolas exclaimed, grabbing her into his arms and kissing her delectable lips. His heart beat wildly and his pulse quickened. This was what he had been craving for so long. This was what he had been dreaming of doing since they parted in Rivendell. How he missed her so, this one lady whom he loved with all his heart. She was the first, the last and always for him.
Narasene leaned fully against the prince, kissing him back with as much desire and passion as he showed her. She tangled her fingers in his hair, gently pulling in her ardor. He wrapped her long glorious hair around his fist while his other arm wrapped around her slim waist, pressing her closer to him; cheek to cheek, chest to chest, tummy to tummy. The zephyr was singing all around them but they didn't notice, so engrossed they were with each other. Only when they ran out of air did they break the kiss.
"Well…" Legolas gasped. "That was…uh…breathtaking." He grinned devilishly back at her, who now lay flat on top of him. "What did you say your name was? I seem to have forgotten. Should we do that again so I can refresh my memory?"
Narasene smiled coyly. "It will be my pleasure, my lord. Just show me how."
Smiling even wider, Legolas twisted until she lay beneath him. His lips swooped down again to claim hers, passionately and seductively. She responded with her own air of curious innocence, reaching up for him, twining her arms around his neck. Their skin tingled with zeal and desire, their bodies felt light as if they were floating above the ground. They were aware of only each other, nothing else mattered to them.
"Eh-hem!" Suddenly came the sound of someone loudly clearing his throat. The two lovebirds instantly sprang apart as if hit by a bolt of lightning.
Thranduil was standing in the doorway, looking at them with a large smile on his face. "So! You two have found each other!"
Narasene quickly pushed herself from under Legolas and got to her feet. She fidgeted nervously, blushing deep red in the face, and unconsciously licked her lips as she discreetly savored the taste that still remained there.
Legolas raised his head, glanced at his father, and plopped his head back onto the pillow, groaning. "Talk about rotten timing," he muttered.
Narasene hastily rearranged her mussed hair—thanks to Legolas' active hands—and prepared to escape. "Excuse me, my lord," she said, bowing slightly to the king. "I'll go see if breakfast…err…I mean lunch is ready for Lord Legolas." Keeping her gaze to the floor, Narasene flew out the door as if a wild beast was hot on her heels.
There was a long silence after she left. Thranduil broke it by laughing out loud. "Did you see how she left?"
Legolas glared back. "Father, you did it again!"
"Did what?"
"Interrupting us while we were…we were…err…"
"Kissing? As in 'making out'?"
The prince blushed a darker shade of red. "Whatever." He sat up and placed his crossed arms over his upraised knees. "Why didn't you tell me that Nara is here?"
Thranduil shrugged and smiled sheepishly. "Uh…Surprise?"
Legolas burst up laughing. "It's a surprise, all right!"
Still smiling Thranduil walked closer and settled himself on a couch beside the bed. "She has been here for two months now, as has Glorfindel," he explained to his son. "Glorfindel saw how she missed you so, looking terribly miserable in Rivendell, and decided to bring his niece here so she could be close to your lingering presence."
"Good for him, then. I felt like killing him when he didn't let her come to Aragorn and Arwen's wedding last summer!" Legolas responded.
Thranduil chuckled. "It was for her own safety, Legolas."
"I know that. And that's why I forgive him," the prince replied with a cheeky grin. He bounded out of the bed toward the basin of water on the nightstand and began his morning wash. "So, how's your new realm, father? Is it as wonderful as you had told me in your missives?"
"It's not a new realm," Thranduil gently admonished. "It's still Mirkwood, though the previous darkness is completely gone now. It has been renamed as Eryn Lasgalen in honor of your name, do you know that?"
Legolas turned away form the basin and gazed appreciatively at the king. "Yes, I know. Thank you, father."
Thranduil harrumphed in reply. "Well, don't just stand there! It's time we have our meal together, don't you think? So hurry up and change!"
The prince grinned and quickly took off his nightshirt, heading towards his dresser. Thranduil instantly gasped out loud behind him.
That was when Legolas finally remembered about the burnt scripts all over his body. He hastily whirled around and put his nightshirt against his chest to cover the hideous view, but it was too late. His father had already seen it.
"Legolas!" Thranduil exclaimed, springing up off his chair and rushing to his son. "What the blazes had happened to you?!"
TBC….