Please see chapter three for disclaimer.

Chapter Four.

Lomion was trying hard to be patient with his Adar; he tried to tell himself that Thranduil was grieving, that he was worried about Legolas. But really he was being utterly unreasonable. Legolas had to be told of their Naneth's death, they could not continue lying to him…

Loud screams echoed through the Palace, growing louder and more hysterical by the second. Lomion stood hand going automatically to his ever present sword. He wanted so much to leave and see what was going on…

The screams continued to grow. Just as he was about to ask for permission to leave the door flew open revealing Nolvo. "Ada, Lomion, you must come. It is Legolas; I do not know what is wrong. We can not stop him screaming."

Lomion was at the door before he realised his Adar had not risen. "Ada?"

"Go to him. I have things to do here."

"Ada?" He could not believe what he was hearing.

"Go stop him screaming!"

Lomion hurried from the room followed by an equally puzzled Nolvo.

They hurried towards Legolas' chamber, wincing as they got nearer to the room and the scream grew louder, ringing in their sensitive Elven ears.

They entered the Elfling's room to find him cradled in Elardion's arms. Legolas was fighting him, small fists landing hard on firm arms. Nothing Elardion said calmed him. A swift look around the room noted the presence of Alcarnor and Drowlin.

He moved swiftly to the bed, sitting on the opposite side of Elardion. "What happened?"

"I do not know. Drowlin was here when I arrived. Hush, little One, come tell me what is wrong. Do you hurt?"

No answer, just the screams continuing.

"Drowlin?" He reached for Legolas taking his sobbing, shaking younger brother gently from Elardion.

Drowlin moved forward from where he had been lounging against the wall, making his face a mask of innocence. "I have no idea; I was passing when he started screaming. I tried to calm him but…."

Lomion turned back to Legolas. "Little Leaf, what is wrong, please tell me? I can help."

"Naneth! No, Naneth!" The cries sounded breathless.

"What about Naneth, little Leaf/" His heart dropped to his boots. Did Legolas know? If so how?

"What Naneth. WANT NANETH!!" Tears poured down the pale face, eyes wide and wild.

"Shush, I am here, little Leaf, I am here." Valar no, he could not find out like this, not like this….

No! Naneth! NANETH!!!" Lomion tried to hug the small Elfling to him but was surprised when a small fist connected soundly with his jaw, more taken by surprise than anything.

"Legolas! Stop this! We are trying to help. What is wrong?" Lomion was getting more worried by the minute. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed Elardion move towards the small table set aside after the 'incident' to keep the herbs needed to treat Legolas. Alcarnor took his place on the bed, Nolvo standing as close to his twin as he could possibly get.

"Want Naneth. No dead! NANETH!!" Great sobs shook the tiny body.

All Elves in the room bar one, felt their blood run cold. Legolas knew?! But how?

"We are here with you, Legolas, you are not alone. You have us."

"NO! NANETH!!! Want NANETH. NANETH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Legolas could barely breathe his panic so complete. He felt desolate. They should be saying he got it wrong; that Drowlin was lying. That Naneth would come to him…

Elardion moved quickly back to the bed, tea ready. He hated to drug Legolas, but this coupled with his wounds could just prove to be too much. Together he and Lomion tried to sooth Legolas enough to drink the bitter brew, but Legolas would not have any of it.

"NO! Hate you! Naneth? Where are you Naneth?" A small hand caught the goblet sending it and its precious brew across the room.

The door opened with a bang, freezing all in place. Framed in the door way was a furious Thranduil. His temper obvious in the way he stood, brow furrowed and black.

"What in all Arda is going on here? I can here you from across the Palace! I will not stand…."

"Ada! Ada, want Naneth. Please I want Naneth…"

"QUIET!" No one in the room dared move.

"Ada?" Legolas' voice sounded very small and unsure.

"Are you deaf?! I said quiet!" Legolas' eyes grew to the size of a plate. His Ada never shouted at him. Did that mean…. Could that mean…. Drowlin's words echoed in his ears. "No body loves you…"

Legolas' body gave a large shudder before tears once more coursed down his face.

"Enough! Are you a Prince? If so behave like one!" Thranduil could not believe the way his youngest was acting.

"Ada, he is…"

"Do not try and defend him, Lomion. He is a Prince of this Realm and as such should behave like one!"

"But, Ada…."

"No. I will not have you baby him. Just because his Naneth used to…." Legolas heard no more. The word 'used to' seemed to echo around in his head. Used to… Used to…

A loud scream echoed in the chamber.

"That is it!" Thranduil stood tall, glaring at the rest of his sons. "Get out. Leave."

"But, Ada…"

"You heard, get out, and close the door I need to speak to him." Reluctantly, they headed out of the room with Drowlin last in line. No one noticed the pleased, smug look on his face. This had gone better than he could ever have dreamed….

As soon as the door closed Thranduil turned to his youngest son. "Are you quite finished? I can not believe you would let me down in this manner. You have embarrassed me in front of the whole Palace and for what? To get attention? You certainly got that…"

"Want Nana" It was a broken hearted sob.

"Do not interrupt me! How dare you." Thranduil could feel the rage grow inside, knew deep down that this was not right, but now he had started he could not stop. "I have never been so insulted in my life. Shouting and crying like a human child. No Elf behaves like that!"

Legolas could only sob harder as his beloved Ada continued to shout at him, unaware this only made his father even angrier. The sound of a sharp slap echoed in the room, followed by silence.

"If you continue to act like a human, you will be treated like a human." Legolas could only sit shaking, as his Father towered above him, before he turned and left the room.

Legolas sat completely still, unaware that he had wet himself in fright. Unaware that his shoulder and leg throbbed. All he could comprehend was that his Father had just hit him.

Hands reached out of no where. For him, just like… No, he would not think of that… He wanted to scream to cry, but Ada said that was wrong… So, Legolas did nothing, just passively let himself be taken by the hands.

"Legolas? Little Leaf? What happened, Little Leaf?" No answer. Lomion lifted the hanging head, almost weeping at the despair and loss in those beautiful eyes. "Little Leaf?" No answer, no reaction. "Elardion?"

"I think he is in shock. It has all been too much for him. Here help me…" This time when they tried to feed Legolas an herb tea, it was taken with no reaction, none of the usual wince at the bitterness. This none reaction was frightening.

As Lomion hugged the small Elfling to him, conscious of the growing wet spot beneath him, Elardion turned to him.

"I think I will contact Elrond. I do not believe we should try and deal with this situation ourselves."

"I agree. We all need help. I do not know what to do any more. Ada will not listen to me…" Elardion reluctantly left the room, leaving his brothers to send for the one Elf he could only hope would be able to help…..

To be continued.

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Meisalliam and Shell

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