Legolas paced anxiously in his room, biting his lip and twisting his hands over and over again. He had wanted to stay in with Calaen, but Airëlus had sent him away. Apparently he was "too hysterical", and was not helping matters. The healers were looking after their Prince, and had been with him for just over an hour. Legolas had no idea of what was happening.

He sighed and sank down onto his bed, only to get up again immediately, and throw himself into a chair. He sat in it for a mere five seconds, before he stood, and resumed his pacing. He could not keep still; he wanted to see Calaen. He had to see Calaen; he had to know what damage had been caused.

Legolas had not intended to push his brother down the steps. All he had wanted to do was get away from the harsh taunts and cruel accusations that were being thrown at him. He would rather die than admit that he was a….he shook his head violently – he did not even want to think the word.

But why did he feel guilty for hurting Calaen? The dark haired Elf had caused him so much pain over the past few years that something like this could easily be allowed to go by. After their mother had died, Calaen had made it his job to make sure that his little brother was always in trouble for something or other, even if it was not his fault.

Begin Flashback

"But that isn't fair, Ada!" the little Elfling protested. "It wasn't my fault. It was Calaen."

Thranduil ran a hand through his hair, and sighed deeply. "Do not try and place the blame on others, Legolas. If you have done something wrong, then you must accept the consequences for it, as I have told you countless times. What would happen if I believed you, when you said that it was Calaen's fault?"

"He would be punished and I would not," Legolas replied. His face brightened considerably. "That would be fair."

"No it would not," Thranduil said shortly. "You were the one in the armoury. I saw you there, and I also saw you playing with the knives and arrows, despite being told countless times – again – not to go down there and most certainly not to play with the weapons. You could have been seriously injured."

"But Calaen put me down there. Then he told me that I was a big Elfling, big enough to touch the weapons. So I did. And then I wanted to get out but I couldn't remember the way to go, so I played some more," Legolas said truthfully.

"I am sorry, but this is how it must be," Thranduil replied. "Now, I want you to go to your room, and think about what you have done."

"That's not fair," Legolas whispered, his eyes filling with tears.

The Elven-king forced himself not to take his words back as he realised how upset his little son was. Legolas had always been able to get himself out of trouble; there was just something about him. But it had happened one too many times. As Calaen had pointed out the other day, the Elfling would never learn if he was not disciplined.

"I don't want to go," Legolas said quietly. "In fact, I'm not going and you can't make me."

"Can't I?" The Elven-king hissed.

The child backed away fearfully, and a few more tears fell. "Do you blame me, Ada?"

"You were there, how can I not?" Thranduil replied, not realising that his son was not referring to the incident in the armoury. "If it were not for your behaviour, then we would not be having this conversation now. So the answer to your question is yes. Yes, I do blame you."

Legolas sat down on the floor, and began to cry softly. "I don't want you to blame me."

"Why do you shed tears?" Thranduil asked in amazement, going to the Prince and putting a hand on his shaking shoulder. "What is wrong with you?"

"You used to love me and now you don't," Legolas whispered. "I'm sorry, Ada. Please don't stop loving me. I won't do it again."

Feeling quite startled, Thranduil drew the child into his arms. "I have not stopped loving you. Whatever has given you that impression? Please, stop crying."

"I'm so sorry," Legolas sobbed, burying his face into his father's robes. "I didn't mean to hurt her. But it's my fault, and if I wasn't here, then she would still be alive. If you love me like you used to, I'll never hurt anyone again."

Thranduil winced as he realised what Legolas was talking about. "It is not your fault, ion-nin, and I have never blamed you. You must stop thinking like this. I will always love you, Greenleaf. And if anyone even thinks to try and place the blame on you, then you must tell me."

"Yes Ada," Legolas whispered. "I'm sorry."

"Hush. You will neverhave to feel like this again," Thranduil said softly.

End Flashback

Legolas shook his head to rid himself of the many different visions that clouded his mind. Going over to his desk, he pulled out one of the drawers, and began sorting through it. Inside were numerous bits of parchment, old books, letters, and memories from his childhood. But he pushed all of them aside to reveal two leaves. One red, one green.

He took them out and sat on the edge of the bed, not once taking his eyes off them. It had been a while since he had last looked at them, but they had not lost any of their hue. Or rather, the green one hadn't. In the week that Findilan had died, the red leaf's brightness had begun to fade. Now it was a light brown colour.

Legolas sighed deeply and held the leaves close to his heart, closing his eyes and biting down on his lip to stop any more tears from falling. But no sooner had he done that, then the door swung open. He turned to see who it was, and was surprised to see Airëlus standing there, a look of utmost disbelief on his face.

"What is it?" Legolas asked in alarm, jumping to his feet. "Has something happened to Calaen?"

The Crown Prince shook his head as he closed the door behind him. "No, he is fine. In fact, I have just been talking with him, and he…"

"He what?" Legolas asked softly.

"He told me what happened."

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