That night, at the dining table, Airëlus watched his brothers. He only needed to let his gaze rest briefly on Legolas, for it was clear that the Elfling, who was chatting away to the twins, was happy enough. But when the Crown Prince looked at his other brother, he knew that Calaen was suffering.

He had spoken very little during the meal, choosing only to address his father, Lord Elrond and Gandalf. Though, Airëlus suspected it was more out of respect than just because he wanted to. His meal lay untouched. At least, that was what everyone except his observant elder brother thought. The fair haired Elf had watched him pushing the food around on the plate, so it would look like he had eaten.

Airëlus sighed, and tore his gaze away. As soon as the meal was over, he would speak to Calaen, and find out what was troubling him. He glanced up at Thranduil then, and nodded. The King smiled and rose, pushing his chair back.

"If I could have your attention for a few minutes," he said to those seated at the table.

"I have a horse, but he's not very big. His name is Aráto because that is Elvish for 'champion' but you probably know that already. Anyway, he is black, like Calaen's hair," Legolas was explaining to the twins, oblivious to the silence around him. "He has a white stripe on his face, and heavy feet, too. Once, he kicked me, and I had a hoof-shaped bruise the next day."

"Fascinating as your story is," Thranduil said dryly, as the Elfling giggled, "we cannot spend all night listening to it."

"Oh! Sorry, Ada," Legolas smiled.

"I thought it was quite interesting," Gandalf commented.

"It was," Legolas nodded enthusiastically. "The bruise was lots of different colours, and even though it hurt, it was very nice-looking. Well, sort of."

Thranduil rested his hands on the table, and leaned forwards, fixing his son with a half-amused, half-irritated look. "I sincerely hope you will not be offended if I tell you to shut up?"

"No," Legolas shrugged.

"Good." The King turned his gaze back on the others, smiling inwardly as he caught sight of his eldest son's lowered eyes. "I know he does not like a fuss to be made over him, so you must forgive me if I do, Airëlus."

"Oh, what have you done?" Legolas asked in interest?

"Nothing," the other Prince muttered.

"You must have done something," Legolas pressed.

"Will you just let Ada speak?" Calaen snapped. Even as the words left his mouth, shame flooded over him, and he lowered his gaze. "I...I'm sorry, I just..."

Airëlus could see the sadness in his brother's green eyes, and it made his heart hurt just thinking about it. He wanted the meal to be over, so they could talk. Legolas looked slightly shocked at the tone of voice used, but he understood that he must have been irritating the other Prince, so he kept silent.

"Are you alright?" Thranduil asked carefully.

"I am sorry, I did not mean to sound so harsh," Calaen sighed. "Please, go on."

He forced himself to smile, but his heart was pounding away. For a month he had been hiding his thoughts and feelings concerning Legolas, and only a moment ago, he had come close to revealing himself. But, the child hadn't even done anything to warrant such sharpness! Despite that, Calaen had let himself become worked up.

Slightly thrown by his son's change of mood, Thranduil shook himself mentally, and tried to turn his attention back to what he was supposed to be doing. "Yes, as I was saying...I am more than delighted to announce that Airëlus, my eldest son and heir, has been accepted into his first patrol, and will soon become a warrior of Mirkwood."

There was silence. Gandalf smiled at the Crown Prince, and his eye twinkled with un-concealed pride. Lord Elrond, who had already been told by his own sons, was un-able to keep the expression of happiness from his face. But it was Calaen and Legolas who Thranduil watched closely, wondering how they would react.

Both of them remained quiet, staring at their elder brother with un-readable expressions on their faces. Calaen's eyes were filled with horror, though, and as the words penetrated, he felt his heart sinking. Airëlus was going. The time spent with his family would become less and less, and he, Calaen, would inevitably be forced closer to Legolas, as his one remaining brother.

"Say something," Airëlus said eventually. "I don't care what you say, just please don't sit there in silence."

"You'll be with real warriors?" Legolas asked in a hushed voice. "You'll be fighting, and riding horses?"

"Yes."

"You'll be sleeping outside, under the stars?"

"Yes."

"You'll be allowed to climb trees?"

"Yes."

"You'll be shooting arrows?"

"Yes."

"You'll be taking me with you?"

"Yes," Airëlus replied automatically. Then he blinked in surprise. "No! No, I won't. I'll

be doing all of what you said except that last one. You are far too young to come with me."

"Oh." Legolas' face fell, but then he brightened. "Will you bring me back something?"

Airëlus smiled – he had an idea of what was coming. "What could I possibly bring back for you?"

"An Orc or a spider," Legolas replied. "I don't really mind."

Thranduil narrowed his eyes. "Please, as if there are not enough evil beings residing in my forest."

Gandalf detected the bitter note in the King's voice, and looked back to Legolas, changing the subject. "Then, you are happy for your brother? Are you not sad that he will be leaving?"

"No, because I know that he will be coming back, and I will see him again," the Elfling replied. "He is not going away forever."

Although everyone understood the meaning behind the words, they did not comment on it. Thranduil breathed an inward sigh of relief – at least one of his sons had accepted the situation. But, what about the other one? He looked over at Calaen, and sighed when he realised that the Prince still looked absolutely stricken.

"Do you have anything to say?" he asked gently.

Calaen raised his eyes slowly. "I don't...I..." He trailed off, and looked at his elder brother. "That is wonderful, Airëlus. I am happy for you."

"That means a lot to me," the Crown Prince replied. But he could tell that Calaen was not happy – far from it, in fact.

"Will there be a feast to celebrate?" Elrohir asked hopefully. "Congratulations, by the way, Airëlus."

"Stop thinking about your stomach," Elladan said. "All you do is eat. You'll get fat, 'Ro."

Elrohir's eyes widened indignantly. "I will not! Anyway, you are being hypocritical – you eat just as much as I do. Besides, Elves do not get fat."

Elladan shrugged, and looked back to Thranduil. "So, will there be a feast?"

"Well..." The King glanced over at Airëlus. "Yes, there normally would be some sort of celebration, but it is not up to me to decide."

"I would rather we didn't, if that is alright," Airëlus said quietly. "You know that I do not care for those sorts of things, Ada."

Thranduil was silent for a moment. That was a lie – his eldest son loved nothing more than special feasts and dances and such. But he understood. Airëlus obviously felt it wrong to indulge in such festivities so soon after Findilan's death. He nodded at the Prince in comprehension.

Calaen relaxed as the conversation was drawn away from him. At least now that everyone's attention was on something else, he could let out the breath he had been holding. He couldn't believe it. He would be left alone with Legolas. How would he be able to face that?

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

Later that night, after making his excuses to the twins, Airëlus was on his way to Calaen's room, filled with every intention of getting his brother to speak of his troubles. Whether the younger Prince would comply with his wishes, he did not know. Still, all he could do was try.

However, Airëlus was not the only one who had decided to try and discover the root of Calaen's problems. As he reached the door to his brother's room, Gandalf came around the corner, jaw set with determination. He looked at the Prince, and smiled.

"So, I see we had the same idea," he said.

"It seems that way," Airëlus agreed. "Something is not right, Mithrandir. I do not expect him to be happy – as you have said many times, people deal with grief in different ways. And, a month is not a long time, especially for us. But despite all that, there is something else."

"It could be nothing, but it is better to be safe and ask," Gandalf nodded.

"Has anyone else picked up on his strange mood?" Airëlus asked.

The Wizard sighed and shook his head. "Elrond did, but he and your brother are not close, and he did not expect Calaen to reveal any troubles to him. The last time the twins saw him happy was at the feast to celebrate Legolas' birth. A long time ago, hmm? They have grown accustomed to seeing him this way."

"And my father?" Airëlus sighed.

"He...did notice something was amiss," Gandalf said hesitantly, "but, he put Calaen's mood down to a bad acceptance of the news."

Airëlus nodded, though he looked unconvinced. "Very well. I will go, Mithrandir. Perhaps it would be best if you spoke to him. And anyway, seeing as how you are here..."

"No," said Gandalf, reaching out and touching a hand to the Elf's shoulder. "No, you go in. He would rather speak to his brother than me."

"Maybe you are right," Airëlus agreed. "Thank you for your concern, all the same."

"No need for thanks," Gandalf said. He smiled and turned to go, but then he looked back. "You did the right thing in choosing to follow your heart and do what you want. Your mother would be proud of you –just like we all are."

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

Calaen sat on the edge of his bed, un-braiding his hair. His green eyes remained on the opposite wall, unseeing. His fingers worked automatically, and he was numb to all feelings, all senses. Airëlus was leaving. His elder brother would be gone within two weeks.

'You'll see him still,' part of his mind yelled. 'Stop overreacting!'

But then there was another thought gnawing away at him. 'Airëlus will go, and you'll be left alone with Legolas and the twins. Then they will go, and Legolas will want to play with you because he has no-one else, and you'll say no, but then Ada will make you play with him, just because he's your younger brother, and you won't be able to refuse that, and-

There was a knock on the door. Calaen jumped up, fully aware that guilt was written all over his face, as though he had been caught doing something he shouldn't. He tucked his half undone braid behind his ear, and walked across the room. Forcing himself to appear calm, he opened the door.

"Airëlus, what are you doing here?" he asked in surprise.

"Forgive me for wanting to visit my brother," the Crown Prince replied, stepping into the room.

Calaen sighed, and pushed the door shut once more. "What is it that you want, Airëlus? I am tired, and had every intention of going to bed."

"No, you can do that as soon as you have done something for me," Airëlus said firmly. "There's something wrong with you. I can see that, so do not bother to deny it. I want to know what it is. As soon as I know, I will leave you in peace."

"What do you mean?" Calaen asked. "You are mistaken."

"No, I am concerned for you," Airëlus corrected. "Can you not trust me?"

"Of course I can," Calaen snapped, turning away. "Why ask such a stupid question, when you already know the answer?"

Airëlus glared at his brother for a moment, before grabbing him and spinning him back around. "If you really can trust me, as you say, why do you keep silent? Why hide your troubles when there is someone to share them with. Why, Calaen? Why not tell me of your problem?"

"Because you are the problem!"

Airëlus blinked in surprise, and took a step back. "I don't understand."

Calaen shut his eyes as guilt washed over him. "No, I did not mean it like that."

"What have I done?" Airëlus asked quietly.

"Please, do not think for one minute that you have done anything," Calaen replied, hating the hurt in his brother's voice. "Leave it, Airëlus. Forget that I ever said anything."

"Don't be so damned stupid!" the other Elf spat. "You have a problem, but then you say you cannot tell me, because I am the problem. Do you really expect me to just let that go? I want to know what I have done, and if you cannot bring yourself to tell me, that is just fine. I will find Ada, let him know there is something wrong with you, and he can take it from there."

Calaen grabbed Airëlus' arm, and pulled him away from the door. "No! No, you will not, and even if you do, what difference will it make? He cannot stop you!"

"From doing what?" Airëlus yelled in confusion.

"From leaving," Calaen breathed.

The Crown Prince closed his eyes in despair, and jerked his arm away. "Why did you not say? Cal, is this what is wrong?"

The dark haired Elf hesitated. If he said yes, then he would not exactly be lying, but nor would he be telling the whole truth. He surely could not tell his brother everything, for how would Airëlus react upon finding out Calaen's feelings about Legolas? But, all that needed to be done was the truth twisted a little.

"Is that what is wrong?" Airëlus repeated.

"Yes," Calaen nodded.

Airëlus sank down to the bed, and rested his head in his hands. "I don't understand. You said you were happy for me."

"What do words mean?" Calaen asked. He smiled grimly and shook his head. "The truth is, is that I am afraid to see you leave so soon after...Why should I lose my brother so soon after losing my mother?"

"By the Valar, you are not losing me," Airëlus sighed. "I can understand why you are reluctant to accept the fact that I am leaving, but Calaen, this is so different to Naneth's death."

"Must you refer to it that way?" the younger Prince demanded.

Airëlus closed his eyes. "I'm sorry. But, can you not see how different this is? You will not be losing me; you will still see me. There is nowhere I can go that will prove impossible for you to get to."

"I know, but..." Calaen trailed off, and sat beside the other Elf. "Is it so wrong for me to feel sadness at this? What if it were the other way around, and I was going away to fight, and-?"

"I'm not going to be at the other end of Middle-Earth," Airëlus cut in.

"That's not the point. Sometimes you may be gone for days at a time. Really, how would you feel if I was going, and you would be remaining here?" Calaen continued.

Airëlus looked up, and sighed deeply. "No, I would feel exactly as you do now. I'm sorry this has upset you so, but what do you want me to do? Of course I can stay, and I will do so if that is what you wish of me."

Calaen winced at that. How could he live with himself if he stopped his brother from doing what he wanted? How could he live with the knowledge that his selfishness had prevented Airëlus from carrying out his dream? He couldn't. He would have to try and face up to his fear: Legolas.

It wasn't that he was actually afraid of the child, of course not. It was his thoughts of blame, this secret that he could not reveal to anyone, that frightened him and haunted his dreams. It was just that, every day spent with Legolas, increased the horrible way he felt, and that was what scared him.

"What do you want me to do?" Airëlus asked again.

Calaen was silent as he rested a hand on the Crown Prince's shoulder. "Go. This is what you want. I will be just fine. And as you say, I am not losing you."

Airëlus breathed a deep sigh of relief, and enveloped his brother in a tight embrace. "I am glad you realise that. Besides, it will not be too bad. On the days I am not here, you will still have Legolas."

'Yes,' Calaen thought bitterly. 'At least I will still have Legolas.'

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

Jedi Gollum: Yeah, I like Airëlus' hair also. I type my chapters on Microsoft Word, so to get the dots on Airëlus 'e', I just go in to insert symbol, and click that. Well, I used to do that. Now the computer just does it automatically. Nice James.

Melony: That's alright. :)

Lombadia Greenleaf: Well, the only thing I was thinking of doing set after 'Captured' was the alternate ending, because a lot of people wanted that. I'm still considering the alternate ending, though. I don't want to let go of Calaen and Airëlus, because out of all the characters I've created, they're the only two that I have really connected with. I guess cos I've been writing with them so long. But I have two other stories planned, and I'd like to get on with those. Sadly, they're stories with no Calaen and Airëlus! But yeah, I'll see how things work out...

Princess Vespa: James is always charming! Have you seen Ned Kelly? It is so good, I love it so much! And yeah, I love college, but it is a lot of hard work, especially drama, cos I'm doing two plays with the college (one of which I wrote myself), and I have main parts in both, and then I'm doing a play with a Regional Youth Theatre, so its pretty tiring!

Irish Anor: I understood that bit of French! Go me!

Haldir's Heart and Soul: Yeah, back in chapter 2, I think it was. No, chapter 3, Thranduil was telling Findilan how he thought they should tell the children, but Findilan didn't want to. He could tell them now, but...well, that will come up when the secret is revealed!

Galadriel1010: Yeah, I tend to do that!

Jennifer: Yeah, its not that he's leaving, just that he'll be away quite a bit, cos he's gonna become a warrior. How brave!

Kel: Well, Legolas took it better than Calaen!

Halimanya: That is a really nice compliment! I actually blushed when I read that, and I don't tend to do that a lot. Well, if I slipped on a banana skin I might, but believe it or not, I have never actually done that. Now that I've said that, I'll probably step on a banana skin tomorrow, and go flying!

Legolas-gurl88: Yeah, Airëlus is leaving, but it won't be for ever. And yeah, his leaving does give Calaen a chance to...well, change.Insert evil laugh here. It will all be very interesting!!!

Kathysidle: They do grow up fast, don't they?! Yeah, Calaen is also growing up, but at least Legolas is still ickle!

I'm sorry about the delay. My God, I've been saying that so much lately. College work is pretty heavy though, and I have to learn lines for three different shows, all of which I have a main part in, so my life is pretty much taken up by work. Then there's all the English essays, and films I have to watch and study for Media. Though, that isn't so bad, because we're actually doing LOTR, so I'm cool with that! Anyway, it's the weekend now, so hopefully I'll be able to get quite a bit of writing done.

I should tell you that this story will be quite a fast-moving one. Obviously it started when Legolas was 5/6, and its gonna go up to the beginning of 'Jealousy' where he's 14, so I can't write a chapter for every day of his life, cos that would be impossible. The next few chapter will be two weeks on, and then the one after that will be another two weeks on from that, and then it will go up to a few months later, and so on and so forth. Anyway, I think I've done enough talking!

Oh wait! A lot of people are worried that Airëlus is gonna go off and never return. Don't worry, he will be back, he's just off to go and fight Orcs and things like that, so this definitely isn't the end of him. Oh no, definitely not. I couldn't do that!