Calaen sat on the edge of his bed, absentmindedly pulling the snapped string of his bow through his fingers. He smiled coldly. His plan had worked perfectly. He had had to damage one of his best weapons to get what he wanted. But still, what did that matter? The blame had been put entirely onto Legolas.

The dark haired Prince leaned forwards, resting his head in his hands, wondering what he could do next. There was no real reason for him to do anything. Thranduil was leaving for Rivendell in a few days, and Airëlus was going off on patrol. It was not a long time to wait. But he would do all that he could in those few days to make his younger brother's life a living hell.

Just as a plan was beginning to formulate in Calaen's mind, the door was kicked open with such force, that it nearly came off its hinges. It hit against the wall with a resounding crash, and the young Elf stared in surprise as Airëlus stormed into the room, sparks flying from his pale blue eyes, his expression one of fury.

"What have you done?" the Crown Prince hissed, jerking his brother to his feet.

"Me? What do you speak of? I have done nothing," Calaen replied, startled.

"Don't you dare," Airëlus snapped. "Don't you dare deny anything. Legolas told me what you said to him. How could you? Can you imagine what pain you have caused him?"

Calaen swallowed nervously. It was bad enough that Airëlus knew. But if the King was to find out… he shook himself mentally. "Is Legolas very upset?"

"I cannot say. I came straight to you as soon as he finished talking," Airëlus said coldly. "But he sounded very upset. Calaen, why would you say something like that? What possessed you?"

"I…I don't…" The dark haired Elf closed his eyes tightly. "What are you going to do?"

"Do? Nothing. You see, unlike you, I am not the sort who bullies and fights those younger and weaker than myself," Airëlus replied, pushing his brother away from him. "But I want you to tell Ada the truth about this. If he does not know by tomorrow, then I tell him myself. Understand?"

"Yes," Calaen muttered.

"Good. And if I ever hear that you have said anything like this again, then you will be very sorry," Airëlus said in a low voice. He shot the other Elf one last cold look, before turning, and leaving the room.

Calaen winced as the door was slammed shut again. He screwed up his eyes in frustration, positively terrified – though of course he would admit that to no-one. Thranduil was sure to find out about this, and there was no knowing how great his anger would be.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Begin Flashback

The golden haired Elfling bit his lip as he began to climb the large tree. He wasn't really supposed to be doing that – his father would be very angry if he knew. But Legolas didn't care. His mother had climbed to the top of the tree to get a red leaf for him. He had wanted it very much, but when he realised how long it was taking, he had changed his mind, and claimed that a green one was much better.

"Nana, are you still there?" Legolas called uncertainly, as everything went silent. "Nana!"

Suddenly, there was a cry of horror from up above. "No, stay where you are! I am coming down to get you. Do not move!"

Queen Findilan spun around and jumped from the branch she was on, and over to the next one. She landed with her usual grace, but her long hair whipped around her face and in her eyes. She made a noise of despair and leaped onto another branch. But her vision was slighted. She misjudged.

With a cry of terror she scrabbled desperately, trying to find something, anything to grab onto, to stop her fall. But it was too late. She could not stop herself. She fell. Branches ripped at her clothing and her face. She felt nothing. Nothing except the rushing wind. She saw nothing. Nothing except the ground flying up to meet her. She heard nothing. Nothing except the screaming of her youngest child, as he witnessed the horror of his mother's death.

End Flashback

The present day Legolas was jerked from the past as the door to his room opened. Airëlus entered, and the young Prince swiftly brushed his hand across his eyes, and forced himself to smile. The older Elf sat on the bed, wondering how to start the conversation after what he had just learnt. He need not have worried, though – his brother began speaking first of all.

"Where did you go?"

"To Calaen," Airëlus replied. "Ada will find out about this. By tomorrow, he will know."

Legolas snapped his eyes up in horror. "But you said that he would not find out about this. You promised me, you gave me your word. I beg of you: do not tell him."

"Why do you not want him to know?" Airëlus asked.

"You have no idea what this is like. I was there when it happened. I was there when Naneth died. It was because of me that she…" Legolas shook his head sadly. "I did not kill her. But it was still my fault."

Airëlus sighed deeply at his brother's words. "No. Never have you been blamed for her death. Nor will you ever. What happened was a tragedy, and even now I still wish with all my heart that it had never occurred. But I do not blame you."

"You can say something, but you do not have to mean it," Legolas replied.

The Crown Prince reached out, and gripped the other Elf's shoulder. "Listen to me. And listen well, because I will say this only once. To repeat it is unnecessary. I do not blame you. Ada does not blame you. Calaen does not blame you."

"But he-

"Ignore him. You know what he is like when he has not had a good day," Airëlus cut in. "Besides, he does not know what he is saying at the best of times. His words mean nothing, Legolas, nothing at all. Even now he probably hates himself for what he said to you."

The golden haired Elf smiled bitterly at that. Calaen, feeling bad for something he had done or said? Yes, that was as likely to happen as King Thranduil giving up the throne to one of the spiders of Mirkwood. Airëlus' intentions were good, but he knew nothing of the ongoing feud between his two brothers. He was oblivious to its existence.

"Trust me," the Crown Prince said softly.

"You are right," Legolas replied. "I am sure that Calaen did not mean a word of it."

Airëlus smiled at the younger Elf. "Talk to Ada about this. He will tell you exactly what I have. You need not worry any more. Everything will be fine." He silently prayed that his words were truthful.

………………………………………………………………………………………………