Disclaimer: We do not own these characters and write just for the joy of it.

Chapter Seven

Legolas was alone, so alone. No one would play with him or wanted to be with him for that matter. His elder brothers had all gone to the tailors and they had refused when Legolas had asked to go with him. Something they never did, he always went with them to the tailors.

He held Growly close to his chest breathing in the bears own comforting sent. Could it be starting? Was this the start of them sending him away?

He looked once more around the room. He had done everything he could think of. Well almost everything. He had momentarily considered tidying up his room, but his chest and leg hurt too much for that. But his Nana had always told him to tidy up his chamber. Thinking of his Nana made him want to cry and he could not allow himself to do that. His old Ada might be near.

He had to do something. Then he spotted the window, he could see the gardens from the window and the trees. He slowly made his way unsteadily to the window using pieces of furniture to help support his weight. If only he could put his foot fully to the floor.

At Long last he made it to the open window. Smiling he saw a little flock of birds frolicking in the early autumn sun light. Legolas gave a delighted laugh as he watched the birds chasing each other. Gently placing Growly on the ground and using a chair and lots of determination he climbed onto the windowsill. Once safely standing he spread his arms out wide trying to take of just like his bird friends. He had to smile as he heard the trees rustling to tell him to be very, very careful.

The wonderfully colourful birds had spotted the young Prince and swooped lower as id they wanted to entice the Elfling to join them. Legolas was so engrossed in watching them fly and pretending he was with them that he did not notice the four people that entered the room.

He was high in the clouds with a very big Eagle and his other new friends. They soared over lands and through clouds; then far over the sea. If he could keep flying maybe he could find his Naneth and bring her home.

So engrossed was he in his search that when two hands grasped his shoulders, he lost his balance and panicked, he was so close to the window! The two hands caught hem gently.

Lomion was frightened and worried for his younger brother. No one had told Legolas that they were being fitted for their clothes ready for tomorrow's funeral. They had to be black as tradition dictated for Royal funerals. He still could not believe that his Ada would keep Legolas away the funeral. By doing so he was refusing Legolas the chance of saying a proper good bye and moving on. If Legolas was made to miss this, then he could well live with the shadow of his memories forever.

He stood perfectly still as an Elf maiden was pinning up the hem of his robe when a wave of heavy fear made him jump. Legolas, it had to be Legolas. All the others were here with him. He frantically searched for his link to his brother and on finding it and feeling the fear he jumped off his stool and ran from the room as fast as he could to get to his baby brother.

He did not notice he was followed by his other brothers.

Legolas gave a startled yelp then relaxed back into the hands that were holding him safe. Looking up he saw two identical faces, faces that did not belong to his own twin brothers. Then the door slammed open and standing just outside the door were four dark haired princes, ready and willing to fight to the death to protect their younger brother. Or at least three were willing; one came along just to keep up his act.

For a full minute nothing was said. Legolas stood in the middle of the chamber with two identical mature Elves of the same age as Alcarnor and Nolvo. With them was a beautiful Elven maiden with a man. The Elven maiden was the same age as Lomion.

The twins still had a tight hold of Legolas, who trembled still with fright.

It was Elardion who broke the silence. "'Ro? 'Dan? How are you here?"

The dark human took the shaking Elfling from his brothers smiling down in reassurance.

"Hello, Legolas." Legolas felt his eyes well up with tears; he wanted nothing more than to cry at seeing one of his oldest and best friends. Oh, how he wanted to cry, but he could not his old Ada had said he had to be Prince. Aragorn taking in the unshed tears gently held the young Elf until the shakes had calmed down.

The human was so beloved by Legolas. He ranked joint favourites with his parents and Lomion. At least his father before all this had happened. Estel had become one of his greatest protectors. To see him at a time like this made Legolas feel safe and sad at the same time.

At Aragorn's small gesture the others left the room chatting between themselves. He wanted some time to spend with Legolas, alone.

Legolas smiled as Estel placed him on the bed and sat next to him.

"Little one, tell me why were you standing on the windowsill like that? I was so scared that you would fall out." Estel's voice was very gentle as he stroked the golden hair.

Legolas gave a furtive look around the room before beginning. "I tried to fly." Aragorn had to strain to hear the whisper. "I am sorry to scare you and I am not little."

He searched for Growly and finding him on the floor by the window started to go and pick him up to carry him back to the bed and Estel. Estel seeing what Legolas was trying to do went and picked the bear up carrying it to Legolas.

Estel could only smile at the Elfling's innocence and pulled him into a tight hug. "I missed you, little Leaf. Why were you trying to be a bird?"

Estel did not expect the reaction he got from the young Elfling. Legolas went very quiet and started to slip his thumb into his mouth only to stop just before it reached its goal. The hand went back to stroking the bear.

Estel realised as the silence grew that Legolas did not want to talk about this and so he changed the subject. "Is this a new friend, Legolas? Why have we not been introduced yet?"

One furtive look around and Legolas smiled. "This is Growly, he is a Knight." The whisper was proud.

"Is he? Wow, I have never met a Knight before. I am please to meet you Growly." Estel bowed with a flourish earning a giggle from Legolas.

The pair continued to talk about nothing important or particular. Suddenly Legolas spoke in an urgent whisper. "I wanted to find Naneth; I thought that if I could fly then I could reach her. She might love me again."

Estel blinked in shock, he certainly had not expected this. "Legolas, I am sorry but you can not go to your Naneth. So many would miss you. So many of us love you."

Legolas looked at Aragorn with large sad eyes glistening with tears. Tears he would not spill. "No one loves me. I have to go away, to my real Ada." His voice was soft and full of pain.

Estel could not even begin to think where Legolas was getting these ideas from and why would he speak with no more than with a whisper? All he could do was try to reassure the Elfling. "Oh, Legolas, there are plenty here who love you and nobody would send you away, believe me. Thranduil is your Adar and he loves you. I love you too."

At hearing this Legolas perked up slightly and asked gently. "If I do have to go can I come to live with you?"

"Yes, my little Leaf, you could, I will always be there for you."

Lomion was pacing his study. It had been his ever since he had been officially crowned as the heir to the throne of Mirkwood. Along with the study he had taken on more of the responsibilities than any of his brothers.

"I do not understand what is wrong with him. I know that he is sad because of Naneth, but he is treating Leafie like a stranger." His tone was frustrated.

Elladan and Elrohir were sipping wine from goblets. All the children of Elrond and Thranduil were either sitting or standing with goblets of their own. Well, all except Estel, Legolas and Drowlin.

Elladan choked on his wine and Elrohir had to thump his back to clear his airway, once cleared he all but squeaked. "Leafie?" He cleared his throat before trying again. "I presume that that is Legolas? But Leafie? Trust me it was bad enough when you called him little Leaf."

Arwen scowled as the others laughed at this comment. "Well, I think it is nice. What makes you think Drowlin would treat your brother so badly and why?"

"Alcarnor and Nolvo have spent the most time with Drowlin recently. Do you know?" he turned to the twins.

Nolvo shook his head. "No, neither of them has acted like this before, at least not that I have seen."

Elardion smiled slightly. "I am sure that Legolas will be a lot happier now that Estel is here. You know, I have never really understood the relationship between those two."

Arwen looked at all the Elves in the room in turn before saying, mysteriously. "I sense that those two have great things in their future. Very great things."

Thanks to all for all your reviews and I know we promised replies but it is either replies and you do not see this chapter for a few days or you take as is.

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To you all and please continue to review and we promise to reply soon. It is Meisalliam's fault and she takes fall blame for it.

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Meisalliam and Shell.