"So, what is this all about?" Airëlus asked, sitting under a tree and looking up at his brother. "There was something I wished to discuss with Ada, but Legolas wanted me to come down here with him, so I had planned to spend a quarter of an hour here, and then go back to the palace. I do not wish to seem as though I don't care. I mean, I have not seen you for a long time, so I really do care, but this matter which must be discussed with Ada, is very important. Look at me: I'm going on and on."

"What do you have to speak of with Ada?" Calaen asked curiously.

Airëlus gazed up at his brother for a moment, but then dropped his gaze. There was something strange about his expression. "Oh, it is merely a problem with the patrols. One of the newer soldiers has been put in with me. As you know, my patrol is one of those which travel very far, and he is not ready for that."

"Oh, I see."

"Anyway, you wanted to talk, but I am the one doing most of that, it seems."

"What? Oh, yes." Calaen nodded, and sat beside his brother. "It is Legolas."

"Legolas? What is wrong?" Airëlus asked in alarm.

Calaen narrowed his eyes at the concern lacing the other Elf's voice, but tried to ignore it. "He has always been a lovely child, would you not say? He has never caused too many problems? Well, his behaviour is plummeting downwards, Airëlus. Has Ada not told you of this?"

"No. Surely it cannot be that bad?" asked the Crown Prince.

"Oh, it is. He will...let me give you one of many examples," Calaen replied. "He once broke a vase, and instead of admitting to it, he tried to blame me."

"Oh, everyone does that at some time," Airëlus said, waving his hand dismissively.

"He will rip out pages of books, and place them in my room," Calaen continued. "Or he will...knock over an ink bottle in the study, and when I am not looking, he will wipe the ink onto my clothes so that it looks as though I did it."

"Cal, do you really-?"

"Wait. He will knock over a pitcher of fruit cordial at the dining table when Ada isn't looking, and then he'll accuse me of doing it," Calaen cut in. "He will come in with mud all over his clothes, and then claim he was pushed. Or he once-

Airëlus reached across and clamped a hand over his brother's mouth. "Cal, Legolas is only a child. If he wants to protect himself from getting into trouble, what of it? You used to be the same."

Begin Flashback

King Thranduil and Queen Findilan stared in horror as they took in the state of Airëlus' room. The five year old Prince was dripping black ink everywhere, whilst his three year old brother stood covered in what seemed to be meadow-cream. Both Elflings were trying very hard not to laugh.

"What...why is....how...why?" Findilan spluttered.

"I wanted to look like Cal and he wanted to look like me," Airëlus announced. "So I put ink on my head to make my hair black, and he put cream on his so he would look different."

"Valar save me from insanity," Thranduil muttered.

"We were just about to have a cream fight," Calaen giggled.

As Airëlus' eyes sparkled, the King knelt down and looked into his son's ink-stained face. "Was this your idea?" he asked.

"I'm sorry," the Prince whispered, moving forwards and wrapping both arms around his father's neck. He flashed Findilan a cheeky grin, and had to work hard to hold back his laughter when he saw that she was doubled over.

Thranduil looked down at himself, and closed his eyes – now his robes were an interesting mix of black and white. He was about to say something, when he noticed what Calaen was doing. The child held a glob of cream in his hand, and was preparing to throw it at his brother.

"Put that down," Findilan said gently.

"No."

"Calaen...

"No."

"Calaen, drop it," Thranduil growled. When his son shook his head stubbornly, the King caught him by the hand, and slapped his wrist. Not hard, but still sharp enough for the boy to burst out crying.

"He's dying!" Airëlus exclaimed, as his brother sat down on the floor. "Ada, you killed him!"

Thranduil made a face at his elder son, before picking the younger one up, and hugging him close. He tried to ignore the cream being dripped everywhere. "I'm sorry, pen-neth, I'm sorry," he said softly.

"You hurt me," Calaen muttered.

"You should have done what Nana told you to," the Elven-king replied.

"Don't want to die." Calaen sniffed sadly, and wiped away some of his tears with his father's hair.

Findilan came forwards, and kissed the Elfling on the cheek. "You will not die. But I am afraid that Ada must now clean you and your brother up."

"There was one thing wrong with that sentence," Thranduil replied. "What about you? I cannot do it on my own. Look at the mess."

"I know. Have fun, meleth-nin," Findilan smiled. Her eyes sparkled as she ran from the room just in time to avoid being hit by some flying cream.

End Flashback

"Do you remember that?" Airëlus laughed. "After that day, you were so scared that Ada would slap you again, you would always do your best to stay out of trouble. You always blamed me."

"What does that have to do with Legolas?" Calaen asked, irritated.

Airëlus sighed, and leaned forwards a little. "We both know that, a few days after Naneth passed on, Ada struck Legolas. I can remember the look you wore when you saw the red mark on his face."

"And?"

"Has it not occurred to you that maybe Legolas is afraid it will happen again?" Airëlus sighed, and stood up. "I must go now, but remember that you used to be exactly the same."

Calaen folded his arms across his chest, and glared after his brother. "Well, I am sorry for wasting your time," he snapped.

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

That night, a special dinner had been prepared for the Royal Family, seeing as how it was their first time together in a month. The talk had mostly been between Thranduil and Airëlus, though Calaen would occasionally contribute to whatever conversation they were having. Legolas sat in near silence. He had watched his brothers' discussion earlier that day, and although he had not heard them, he had an idea what the subject had been. Or rather, who the subject had been.

"Ada, may I be excused from the table?" Calaen asked after a while.

"Of course, but take your brother with you," Thranduil replied. "It is getting late."

"Who? Legolas?"

The Elven-king's face remained impassive, but his eyes flickered in amusement. "No, I actually want you to take Airëlus to his room, and make sure he gets ready for bed. Of course I meant Legolas."

Airëlus laughed into his goblet of wine, but the other two Princes merely narrowed their eyes. Calaen nodded, and without saying a word, went over to the doors. Legolas reached across the table to touch his father's hand though, and the Crown Prince watched carefully, remembering what he had been told.

"Ada, I don't want to go," the Elfling said quietly. "Can I stay here?"

"No, go with Calaen," Thranduil replied.

"But-

"But nothing."

Legolas pouted, and flashed the two Elves dark glances, before turning on his heel and leaving the hall with Calaen. He didn't want to go with his elder brother. But then, nor did he wish to reveal his wishes for staying. He was quite sure that he would not be believed.

He walked slightly in front of Calaen, wondering vaguely what was going to happen. Nothing good, that was certain. He chanced a glance up, and when his eyes met his brother's, he shuddered. He had never really noticed the emerald sparkle the bright orbs held, but now that he was aware of it, he didn't like it. Nor did he like the fact that he should be afraid under the elder Prince's gaze.

"What are you looking at?" Calaen asked in a low voice.

Legolas blinked and shook his head. "Nothing. I...I was just going to say that you don't have to come with me to my room. I know you don't want to."

"Ah, so little Legolas knows everything, does he?" Calaen sneered.

"No, but nor do you." the younger Prince said hotly, as the climbed up the stairs to their private rooms.

Calaen glanced down through narrowed eyes, and his expression was cold. "You are right: I do not know everything. But, believe me when I say there is a lot that I do know. Not that it's any business of yours."

Legolas paused as they reached his bedroom door. He braved himself for what he was about to say. "Why do you even bother talking, Cal? You say things that you want me to ask about, even when you know full well I won't get any answers. It's not just stupid, it's...pathetic and immature. You should start acting your age."

"Watch your mouth," Calaen growled, reaching past Legolas to open the door. He pushed his brother forwards into the room, then went in himself.

"You don't have to be here," the Elfling said quietly.

"I know."

"So, why are you still here?"

"I have my reasons."

Legolas glared at his brother, and crossed his arms defiantly over his chest. "Whenever I go into your room, you always tell me to get out. I don't want you in here, Cal."

"Is that an order to leave?" the dark haired Elf asked.

"I.... Yes. Yes, it is."

Calaen's eyes flickered in amusement, and he shook his head. "No. You see, because I am older than you, I can give you orders, not the other way around. That is how the world works. You should learn that, Legolas. Why do you think you cannot tell Ada and Airëlus what to do?"

"Because they're older than me," was the quiet reply.

"Exactly. So, what makes you think it is right to treat me any differently?" Calaen demanded. "If I order you to jump, you don't question me. You ask, how high? And that is because I am older, and you should respect me. Also, Elfling, because I am so much older than you, I can even do...this!"

Legolas cried out as Calaen jumped forwards and grabbed the tip of his delicately pointed ear. It was a sensitive spot for Elves, and the dark haired Prince grinned when his brother tried to pull his arm away. Laughing, he tugged harder, digging his fingers into the soft skin.

"Let go of me!" Legolas tossed his head to the side, tears of pain springing to his eyes.

What Calaen did not expect, were a set of sharp teeth buried into his wrist. He immediately disengaged his hand from his brother's ear, but Legolas just bit down harder. The elder Elf hissed, and pushed the younger one in the chest, sending him tumbling back to land against the wall.

"You little brat!" Calaen snapped, eyes flashing. "You've made me bleed!"

"But Legolas was furious – he did not care. "Get out! Get out! Get out!" he screamed, slamming a fist on the floor. "Get out of my room now, and leave me alone! Get-!"

The door burst open and Airëlus rushed in, a look of alarm on his face. "Legolas, what is wrong? Has something-?"

"Look at what he did to me," Calaen cut in, shoving his wrist in front of his brother's face. "And you heard what he was screaming. Now do you see? Do you understand what I told you?"

Airëlus glanced down at Legolas, who was back on his feet now. "What have you done? How could you do something like that?"

"But-

"You cannot deny it," Calaen said incredulously. "The proof of what you did is right here in front of us all. This injury did not just miraculously appear."

"That's enough," the Crown Prince snapped. "Calaen, go to Ada. No, do not protest, just go to him right now!"

As his elder brother stormed out, Legolas shook his head in disbelief. "Airëlus, I didn't mean to..."

"Well, you did it," the fair haired Elf said coldly. He was silent for a moment, then he reached down and put a hand on the child's shoulder. "Why? Why did you do something like that? It is not like you."

"I...I wanted to get him away," Legolas whispered.

"What?"

Without answering, the younger Prince pushed his hair back over his shoulder, revealing his ear. There were marks where Calaen had dug his nails in, and the colour of the skin was a deep red. Airëlus exhaled deeply, and knelt down to pull his brother to him in a tight embrace.

"Did Calaen do that to you?" he asked quietly.

Legolas hesitated for a moment, before nodding once. "Yes."

Airëlus pulled back a little, and looked as though he was about to say something, but he was never given the chance, because the door suddenly flew open. King Thranduil stormed in, Calaen following just behind. Legolas flinched under his father's icy glare, and lowered his eyes to the ground.

"What," Thranduil snapped, "are you playing at?"

"I...I don't know," Legolas said helplessly.

"Tell him what you told me," Airëlus said gently.

Thranduil hissed impatiently as silence followed his eldest son's comment. "Well, Legolas? Are you planning on telling me any time soon, what you told your brother?"

"I...I only bit Calaen because he was hurting me," the young Prince muttered. "He wouldn't let go of me, and I only wanted to get him away."

"Indeed? I can see no life-threatening injuries," Thranduil remarked.

"Ada, Calaen is not exactly going to die," Airëlus said sharply.

After a warning look at the Crown Prince, the King glanced pointedly at Legolas. When the child indicated his ear, Thranduil reached down and roughly turned his son's face, so as to see it better. Legolas flinched at the harsh movement, but he remained silent, and kept his eyes averted.

"That is nothing," Thranduil said, jerking his hand away. Though, he still looked behind him, and asked, "Well? Did you do that?"

Calaen took a step forward, and nodded slowly. "I will not deny it. Yes, I did that. However, what Legolas says is not true. I told him to get ready for bed, but he got angry and told me to leave. When I said I was merely doing what you asked of me, he leaped towards me, and sank his teeth into my wrist."

"No, I-

"Silence!" Thranduil snapped. He motioned to his other son. "Go on."

"I did not want to, but I thought that if I caught him where he is most sensitive, he would be forced to let go," Calaen said regretfully. "Legolas, I am so sorry."

"No." Thranduil shook his head. "Do not apologize to him. It should be he who is sorry, not you."

"But that's not fair!" Legolas cried out. "Ada, he's lying. It wasn't like that."

"You do not think this is fair?" Calaen thought. "Life isn't fair."

"It is your brother I am inclined to believe here," Thranduil said coldly. "He knows better than to act in such a way, and his levels of maturity are far higher than yours. I do not know why you chose to do something as childish as this, and clearly I am not going to find out. So, apologize. Now."

"But-

"Do it!"

Legolas looked at his father for a moment longer, before flicking his gaze over to his brother. "I...I'm sorry, Calaen."

"That's alright," the dark haired Elf nodded.

"Good. You two can leave now," Thranduil said to his elder children. "Legolas, go to bed right now; I do not wish to hear any arguing. And if you are not in bed when I check, which could be at any time, then there will be trouble."

With that, the Elven-king turned and swept from the room. He felt a little regretful at having to be so harsh with his son, but he would not show it. Calaen hesitated for a moment before leaving, though Airëlus knelt down and embraced his youngest brother as soon as the others were out of the room.

"Do as Ada says," he whispered. "This will all be forgotten by tomorrow."

Legolas closed his eyes as Airëlus kissed him on the cheek, and silently left the room. The Elfling sat down and pulled his knees up to his chest, finally able to let his tears fall, without anyone knowing.

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

Fifteen minutes later, King Thranduil re-entered Legolas' room, though this time much more quietly than the last. He leaned against the doorframe for a moment, and let his gaze rest on the Elfling lying in bed. Sighing, he moved further into the room until he was beside Legolas, and reached down to touch his son's cheek. It was damp with tears.

'Then, why did you do something like that to Calaen?' Thranduil thought. 'You must have known he would tell me, and you definitely knew I would not let it pas. I always try to understand you, yet always I fail.'

Sighing again, the Elven-king leaned down, and gently kissed his Elfling on the forehead. Brushing some stray hair from the child's face, he smiled. "I love you, Legolas, no matter what."

With that, Thranduil turned and left in silence. As he closed the door once more, the figure in the bed stirred. "I love you too, Ada," Legolas whispered.

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

Jedi Gollum: Yeah, I wouldn't bother writing anything but LOTR. Not because I don't like anything else, just because I like LOTR.

Lombadia Greenleaf: Yep, I cried when I wrote that part!

Halimanya: I love Legolas whether he's little or not! And yeah, Cal definitely needs to get his act together, I totally agree with you there!

Arienis: I'm glad that you liked my other story!

Haldir's Heart and Soul: Yeah, I'm not surprised!

Legolas-gurl88: Ha ha, Airëlus and Legolas could set up a circus, and do flying tricks! No, I have never read those books, but they sound interesting! Oh good, you updated? I'll check that out!

Kel: Yeah, I couldn't keep Airëlus away for long!

Nautika: My pleasure!

It's November 5th! Happy Bonfire Night, if you celebrate it. Personally, I think it is one of the stupidest things in the history of British celebrations. I mean, why would you want to celebrate the day someone tried to blow up Parliament? I've always wondered. Oh well.

We had fireworks in our back garden, and one of them went wrong. Normal fireworks go up, right? This one decided to be different, and went sideways. So I, not being a huge fan of fireworks anyway, dived back into the house. It was completely dark. And because it was dark, I did not see the vacuum cleaner in front of me. So I fell right over it, and all you could hear was the exploding firework, my family outside trying to scramble for cover. And then...silence, which was broken only by me, saying in a very small voice, 'ow.'

Anyway, the chapter that a lot you have been waiting for (I won't say which one cos I know there's some people who don't know what happens) is coming up...not on Sunday, cos that's the next one, but on Tuesday. So, see you soon!

Misto

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