Disclaimer: see chapter one.

Chapter Six

The five Elf's, all settled down, Legolas cradled gently in Lomion's arms, sighing with relief as the herbs began to take the throbbing in his leg and shoulder. He wished it would take away the heart that was in his heart. He peeked around the room, did he belong here? Would they let him stay now that Naneth…?

Elardion began to speak. "Once Upon a Time there was a great wood. A large big wood, in this wood lived some elves and one of these just happened to be an Elfling called Legolas….."

Legolas was shaking his head emphatically. "What is it Legolas?"

Legolas glanced warily around the room before leaning close to whisper in Elardion's ear. "Do not like this story."

"Okaaay. Let us try again. There was once a little Elfling who liked nothing more than to talk to trees." This caught Legolas' attention. He liked trees, they always talked to him. They told him great stories. "Now this Elfling was called Lego…"

Legolas was once more shaking his head a frown on his fair face. "Legolas?"

Again the furtive look around the room. Lomion watching closely was becoming more worried by the moment. Why would Legolas not speak without checking the room? Why would he only speak in the barest of whispers?

Legolas sat forward again and almost hissed as he whispered. "Not like him."

Elardion almost dropped the Elfling in surprise. "You do not like Legolas?"

"Nope." A whisper so soft.

"But why? Legolas is good and…." The youngling cut him off.

"Nasty."

Lomion could only stare in shock as Eldarion carefully asked. "Why do you not like Legolas?"

"Nasty."

"Why is Legolas nasty?" This was a little like drawing blood from a stone.

"Nobody loves him. His old Ada shouts." It was barely a breath.

The four brothers looked at each other with a mixture of shocked horror. Legolas was not loved? He was adored! He had to know that and what was this about his 'old' Ada?

"Legolas? You do know we love you?" Elardion actually dreaded the thought of what he might hear.

"Not no more."

"What!" He could not stop the shout. Wincing when he saw Legolas cringe and shrink back from him. "Oh, Little One, I am sorry, I did not mean to shout and scare you. Why do you think we no longer love you?" He wanted no more than to hug his brother to him, but did not think that Legolas would let him after scaring him like that.

"'Cause of Nana." They watched as the little thumb made its way to the little mouth seeking comfort, only to stop and be pulled away. What was going on?

"Sweetheart, Nana was not your fault. It was an accident, you had…"

"My fault! Ad…. King no love anymore, never loved." How could a voice so soft sound so full of self loathing?

Lomion could take it no longer. He brushed the hair from Legolas' eyes softly saying. "Little Leaf, Ada still loves you. He is just hurting at the moment. He knows what happened was not caused by you. Give him time. You will see and he is still your Ada."

A little lip quivered and tears filled those blue eyes. Eyes that should not be crying, should be laughing instead. As they all watched Legolas bit his lip and forced the tears back. No tears! Remember no tears.

"Leafie, what makes you think he is no longer your Ada?" The question was gentle.

Legolas stiffened. He almost told them! After Drowlin's warning he had almost told them! He shook his head sharply.

"Legolas?" Lomion was frightened, something was very, very wrong here. But Legolas would not answer, would not look at his brother's. Silence stretched….

It was becoming obvious Legolas would give them no more answers, at least not yet.

Eldarion cleared his throat. "Back to the story, little One?" A nod. "Alright." He searched for a story that he could safely tell Legolas wanting to upset him further by reading the original Princess story he had promised him earlier. His eyes landed on…. Inspiration!

Once upon a time in a magical kingdom, lived a very, very brave and noble Knight. This Knight was loved by his people and had many great adventures. His name was Knight Growly and he had a very special friend called…." A pause, filled with quick thinking, "Little Las. Between them they cared for their people, chasing away all the nasty monsters that troubled their home."

Legolas' eyes were wide as he listened, hugging Growly firmly to his chest. This was about his bear! And his bear had a friend. Little Las, he liked that name, it sounded good.

Elardion sat back with a sigh of relief; Legolas did not understand that this was the Sindarin form of their well used endearment. "Now one day the people were holding a big feast to celebrate Growly and little Las' last successful adventure. All were having fun, when the village was attacked by a large green Dragon…"

Legolas' eyes grew even wider. A Dragon? Growly faced a dragon? He hugged his bear tighter, shivering in anticipation.

Elardion continued the story, amused to find that his other brothers were just as captivated as the Elfling. It appeared as if no Elf outgrew their love of Fairy Tales.

Legolas' eyes were fighting the need for sleep as the story drew to a close. "The two of them cornered the Dragon in a deep dell in the forest. Little Las kept the Dragon's attention from Growly as the Knight moved towards the weapon they had prepared earlier. Growly picked it up just as the Dragon was about to breath fire at his friend…." Legolas drowsily gasped. "And he threw the water he held in the bucket, straight into the Dragon's mouth. All that could be heard was the sound of sizzling before the dragon roared in fright and fled from the forest never to be seen again. Growly and little Las returned to the people in triumph, the big bad Dragon defeated and their homes safe once more so that they could all live happily ever after….. Or until the next adventure."

Contented sighs echoed in the room bringing a large smile to Elardion's face. He looked down at his beloved younger brother. "Did you like that, little One?" A drowsy nod. "Would you like Growly and little Las to have another adventure?" Another even more Lethargic nod. "I will find one for tomorrow. But know I think I know a certain little Elfling who really needs to go back to his bed."

Lomion looked down to find Legolas asleep in his arms; he gently stood and moved from the chamber. Once Legolas was settled he returned to his own chamber to find his brothers all waiting apprehension on their faces.

"I know, I know. Why does Legolas think no one loves him and why or who has told him he is to blame for Naneth's death? Why won't he call Ada, Ada?" His voice was rising in frustration.

No one could answer these questions…

All evening Lomion pondered these questions, giving himself a headache. He was so worried about Legolas. How could he convince his brother he was wrong, that they all loved him?

The evening meal was completely silent, no one dared speak. Thranduil still looked to be in a terrible rage, one of the Palace guards had told him earlier that Calentha had bee removed from his post and had been returned to the lowliest position in Mirkwood's Guard. It seemed his Adar had found someone else to make a scapegoat.

Before they left the dining hall at the end of the meal Thranduil spoke. "I have made a decision on your Naneth's burial. I do not want Legolas present. After today's little incident I can not take the chance that he will embarrass me once more." His voice was cold, but this hand was shaking as he reached for his wine goblet.

Lomion defended his brother. "He is an Elfling, Ada, one who has just lost his…."

"Do not presume to tell me how to treat my own child! How dare you! This decision is final. He will not be at the funeral or the feast afterwards. Do not dare defy me on this!" And with that he swept from the hall, leaving behind a stunned group of Elf's who could not believe their normally fantastic father could turn into this cruel, cold hearted caricature….

To be continued

May we say sorry for the lateness of this chapter? We had big problems with and then poor Meisalliam fell sick, so it kind of had us running late. We are both fine know and ready and raring to go.

We hope you like this new chapter. Please let us know what you think of it? Please.

As we are still catching up with our reviews we will reply to them next time.

Take care,

Namarie,

Meisalliam and Shell

xxxx