King Thranduil stood in silence beside Legolas' bed, staring unseeingly at the opposite wall. Today was the day he had been dreading. Today was the day his wife was going to be laid to rest. Nearly a whole week – though it seemed much longer – had passed since her death, and although every member of the Royal Family were still grieving, they were slowly getting by with the help of each other. And of course, Gandalf.

Sighing, Thranduil sat on the edge of the bed and watched the sleeping child for a moment longer, before touching a hand to his shoulder. "Legolas. Legolas, wake up. It is the morning, pen-neth."

The Prince's eyes slowly re-focused, and he looked up into his father's face. "Hello. I wish you had left me sleeping, and not woken me."

"Why?" asked Thranduil, as his son sat up and pushed some hair from his eyes.

"Because I haven't forgotten what day it is," Legolas sighed, "though I was hoping that maybe everyone else would. When I was asleep, I was not thinking about Nana. Well, I was, but not about today. Now I am, though."

Thranduil nodded once in understanding. "You could hope as much as you wished, Greenleaf, but there is nothing which can stop the next day from coming."

"Except death," said Legolas quietly.

The Elven-king snapped his head up, though he eventually nodded with reluctance. "Yes. Yes, that is true." He sighed, and drew the Elfling into his arms. "Come, it is time for you to get ready. Your clothes have been set out over on that chair."

Legolas slid down to the ground and went over to where he had been directed, only to stare at the clothes. "I haven't seen these before, Ada. Are they new?"

"Hmm, specially made," Thranduil nodded, glancing over at the silver tunic. "I know you are used to clothes of a more...casual disposition, but your normal attire would not be suitable for a day like this."

"No. No, I suppose not," Legolas replied.

The King went over by the window and leant against the wall, staring downwards. "Go on, get changed. Unless you want me to help you."

"No," said Legolas quietly, gazing down without blinking as he did up the clasps on the new tunic. Having not been worn before, it was more stiff than the Elfling was used to, but he wanted to be as much help as possible today.

"A while after you went to bed last night, Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel arrived, with many other Elves from Lorien," Thranduil said quietly. "I do not doubt that there will be anything else from you, but I want best behaviour, hmm?"

"Hmm." Legolas paused for a moment, before going forwards to tug on the Elven-king's robes. "Ada..."

Thranduil looked down, expecting to see what he did every day: his son's clothes in complete disarray, the tunic clasps done up incorrectly. His expectations were wrong, though. "Oh Legolas, you did it on your own. You did it without help."

The Prince smiled as he was lifted up into strong arms. "I thought that it would be better if I helped you today, Ada. You don't need to be bothered by silly things like me getting dressed."

'Even today he can make me smile,' thought Thranduil. He ran a hand through the Elfling's golden – but knotted – tresses as he went back over to the bed. "That was very thoughtful of you, Greenleaf, and I appreciate it. Now though, I must brush your hair. It looks like a bird's nest."

"It feels like one," Legolas sighed.

Thranduil laughed quietly and set the child down on the bed, though just as he turned to pick up the brush, the door opened and Calaen came in. Dressed in robes of a deep red, his dark skin and ebony hair were complimented. Resting on his brow was a silver circlet, akin to the one that Legolas would wear.

"Ada, I thought you would wish to know that the party from Rivendell have been sighted," he said quietly. "They will be here very soon."

"Thank you," Thranduil nodded. "Then, I must go down to meet them. Would you mind staying here to help your brother, Calaen? It is only his hair which must be done."

The Prince nodded once. "Of course."

As he passed the brush across to his son, Thranduil put a hand on his shoulder, and whispered, "Are you well? Do you feel alright about today?"

"Not ecstatic," the dark haired Elf shrugged. "And yourself?"

"Fine, but worry not for me," replied Thranduil. He smiled gently, and locked his blue eyes onto green ones. "Of course you are not ecstatic. But do not forget that I will be with you, every step of the way, ion-nin."

Legolas watched in silence as his father and elder brother spoke in hushed tones. That was a bit useless, as his sharp hearing caught every word that was said. Not that he understood everything. He wondered vaguely what 'ecstatic' meant, and resolved to find out before he forgot.

"Ada wants to leave your hair down today," Calaen said, jerking the Elfling from his thoughts as he came to sit on the bed. "It will not be braided, so that's one less thing to worry about, hmm?"

"What does 'ecstatic' mean?" asked Legolas.

Calaen was silent for a moment as he began pulling the brush through his brother's hair. "It means to be...happy, thrilled, overjoyed. You were listening in on my conversation with Ada."

"It was hard not to," Legolas shrugged.

Hmm. What would...what would your answer be if I were to ask you the question which Ada asked of me?" Calaen said. "How do you feel about today?"

Legolas lowered his gaze to the ground, and his voice was only just audible. "I'm nervous. There will be lots if important Elves here, won't there?"

"Yes, but you have probably seen some of them before," replied Calaen. "Why should that make you nervous?"

"Ada told me to be on my best behaviour today, but I am afraid that I might cry in front of them," Legolas whispered. "I don't want to make Ada angry today."

Calaen put the brush on the bed, and pulled the child up onto his lap. "That will not be misbehaving, Greenleaf. No, Ada will feel no anger at all if you should cry. Besides, there will be more than one Elf who sheds tears today."

"A lot of people loved Nana," said Legolas quietly.

"Yes, and they always will," replied Calaen. He picked up the brush and resumed the work on his brother's hair. "Forget Ada for a moment or two. How do you feel about saying goodbye to Naneth?"

"Still nervous because I don't really know what will happen," Legolas sighed. "And sad, because I don't want her to go, but also a bit happy because she is also happy. Mithrandir and Ada told me."

Calaen blinked as he felt his eyes becoming moist. He did not want to shed any tears yet, especially in front of Legolas, who seemed so calm, despite his age and knowledge of what this day would bring. As he bit down on his lip to hold back tears, Calaen unconsciously tugged hard on the brush, pulling it straight through a knot that had formed whilst Legolas had been asleep.

"Cal!" the young Prince cried, jerking his head forwards.

Calaen blinked once more, though this time in surprise: he had not realised what he had been doing. "Oh, I...I am sorry Greenleaf, I...Look, that is enough now. Pass me your circlet."

Legolas pulled it across the bedside table, and held it behind his back for the other Prince to take. "I think that I am also a little bit glad that today has come. Maybe that sounds horrible."

"Explain," said Calaen quietly, pulling the circlet down over his brother's head.

"I have heard you and Ada and Airëlus talk a lot about today, but you never really included me because I am too small. You say a lot of things that I don't understand," Legolas replied. "I am glad because, at least now I will be able to stop worrying about what will happen."

Calaen sighed, though he nodded reluctantly. "You will find out soon, Greenleaf, very soon."

............................................................................................................

Thranduil paused as he passed his eldest son's bedroom. He had seen Airëlus very little, it seemed, over the past week or so, and he cursed silently as he realised that it should not have been so. Just because the Crown Prince was elder than Legolas and Calaen, it did not mean that he was not as affected by all that had happened.

The King retraced his steps slightly, and knocked gently on the door. "Airëlus, can I come in?"

"Of course," was the reply.

Thranduil pushed open the door, and stepped quietly into the room. The Prince was sitting at his desk, wearing light robes of a sky-blue. His fair hair fell un-braided around his face, and resting in his hands, was a circlet of gold. He turned it over and over in his fingers, and did not look up when a hand was placed on his shoulder.

"Airëlus," Thranduil said quietly. He paused for a moment, but then lifted his son's chin. They made eye contact for a mere second, before the Prince shook himself free, and stood up to go and stare out of the window.

"I thought...I thought I was strong," Airëlus whispered, "at least, stronger than this. But now, I feel so weak. I feel that if someone was just to touch me, I would crumble, like an old statue. How can I face everyone? Our people?"

"What do you speak of?" Thranduil asked, troubled.

Airëlus turned around, and nodded towards the circlet in his hand. "This. What do our people look for in me? Strength, because I am their Crown Prince, heir to the throne. A King must be strong, Ada, else, what good is he to his country? None at all. I have spent the last week trying to take care of Calaen and Legolas; I have been polite and courteous to those who come to give their condolences; I have even comforted those who weep over the loss of their Queen."

"And yet, you accepted no comfort yourself." Thranduil sighed, and leaned back against his son's desk.

"I did not want any," replied Airëlus. But then he paused, and shook his head bitterly. "No, that is a lie. I did want to be comforted. But I accepted none so that no weakness would be shown on my part. I had to show strength in front of everybody. But now the day has come where I must be most strong, and I cannot do it."

"Airëlus," Thranduil breathed, "you-

"Please, let me finish," the Prince cut in. "Not only do I think I cannot be strong, but...I do not wish to be. Not any more. Not even for you, Calaen and Legolas. That is selfish, I know, but-

"But I understand." Thranduil went forwards to stand in front of his son. "Deep down, I was afraid this would happen. You pushed your emotions away, and now they are all catching up with you, too fast, it seems."

Airëlus closed his eyes and nodded, though a few tears escaped from under his lashes. He reached up a hand to swipe them away, but Thranduil caught him by the wrist, and shook his head gently. As some more silvery drops fell, the King wrapped both arms around the Prince, and pulled him close.

"Do not be afraid any more," he whispered. "No-one expects you to be strong today. No-one expected you to be strong this last week. Why should you? Airëlus, showing your emotions is not a display of weakness."

"But I only thought that..." The younger Elf trailed off, and buried his face against his father's shoulder.

"I know, I know," Thranduil soothed. "Showing your emotions and shedding tears is merely the walk down the road of recovery for your heart and soul."

Airëlus looked up, and managed to smile through his tears. "Put like that, it does not sound so bad."

"No, it doesn't." Thranduil pulled back a little, and touched a hand to his son's damp cheek. "Maybe our people want strength from us, but it will be the last thing on their minds today. Besides, I think that maybe they would be a little worried if you were able to remain entirely calm. Take no shame in your grief."

"Thank you. I know now that it will be easier for me to get through this day, now that I have spoken to you," Airëlus said. He glanced down at his hands. "I suppose I must put this on now."

Thranduil smiled, and took the circlet. Placing it on his son's brow, he said softly, "I am proud of you, Airëlus, and your mother was also. Remember that. Know also that if you should ever feel like this again, I am here for you, and I can and will help you."

"Thank you, Ada," the Prince said quietly.

The other Elf nodded and turned to go, but then he paused. "If I were you, I would stop worrying about being a strong King. I have no plans to be leaving any time in the next few millennia, so you have a while to wait yet. Besides, we do not know what the future holds for us."

Airëlus nodded slowly. "That is very true, Ada. Anything could happen."

............................................................................................................

October Skye: Cool to see you're back! Yeah, I like Calaen also, so don't worry, you're not alone.

Jedi Gollum: Oh no, poor Elrond got poked!

Kelsey: Well, I don't want to say too much about Calaen's blame at the moment, because it's getting near that point now. I hope this bit with Airëlus was alright for you. To be honest with you, I was actually having a few problems writing him, but your review really helped. If I write a flashback with Findilan and her man, it would definitely do nothing to tarnish her reputation as a good mother and wife, because I don't think of her as anything but that. Anyway, thanks again for the help! I really appreciate it!

kathysidle: Poor you, starting school soon. Don't worry, I start college on Wednesday, so I guess that means no more late nights and lie-ins in the morning! How sad.

Pippin the hobbit-elf: Wow, you go to a very small school also! I think that small schools are nicer than larger ones. I know that if I hadn't gone to the school I did, I would've turned out very differently. Different in a bad way. Yeah, I start college on Wednesday, the day after you start school. Scary!

I don't know if this was a sad chapter or not. Yeah, I guess it was a little. The next chapter is also pretty sad, cos...well, it just is. Anyway, see you all on Tuesday. Bye!