Calaen rested his forehead against the wall, and stared unseeingly at the ground below him. It was moving, spinning around in circles so dizzying that he felt sick. It span around and around and around and around and around. He closed his eyes tightly, trying to force away the horror that threatened to overwhelm him, to drown him, choke him.

He wanted to sink down to the floor, for he knew that his legs would not be able to hold him up for much longer. In his hand, he had held the book that he had planned to return. But now it fell. He did not notice. He did not notice anything. Except…he was still dimly aware of what was being said in the study.

Airëlus was being dismissed; the conversation was coming to an end. Calaen took a deep breath to try and calm himself, but it did little good. He had to physically push himself away from the wall that was acting as a support, for so great was the impact this revelation had on him, he was unable to move on his own.

But he had to move. He could not be seen outside the study. No-one could know that he had heard this. "Valar, help me," he whispered. "Please, give me strength."

The young Prince turned, and stumbled blindly through the corridors leading to the Royal Family's private rooms. His emerald eyes sparkled, though this time, the first time in many months, it was not with malice – it was tears. He ran as fast as his trembling legs would allow, ignoring anyone he passed. He needed sanctuary. To be alone and think of what he had learnt, and what it would mean. Why had no-one told him? He had spent his whole life not knowing, but now…

"Why Ada?" he breathed.

But the sound of that word coming from his lips was nearly enough to make him sick. How could he use it any more? It meant nothing. It used to, but now… Calaen blinked back the tears stinging his eyes, and pressed on down the corridor. He was nearly there; he could make it to the safety of his own room. His heart pounded painfully against his chest as he ran, but he did not care.

He wanted to scream; to yell; to cry. But he couldn't. Not until he was alone. It did not matter that both Thranduil and Airëlus had said that they loved him, and that nothing would change, despite his being of different blood. That did not ease the pain in his heart, the turmoil in his confused mind. All he knew, was that he was not who had thought – his whole life had been a lie.

He reached his room just when he felt as though he could run no longer. Gasping for breath, Calaen pushed open the door, and slammed it shut again almost as quickly. He leaned against it for a moment, and closing his eyes tightly, he slid down it until he was sitting on the floor.

"I don't understand." The whisper was a helpless plea for someone, anyone, to come and explain why this was happening.

The young Prince rested his head back against the door, and stared up at the ceiling. Before, he had wanted to cry. But now that he was alone, the tears remained imprisoned, they would not escape. He felt numb – unable to think properly, even to feel anything. Closing his eyes again, he exhaled deeply.

"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked softly.

Calaen shook his head, trying to clear his mind. Part of him wanted to believe that it wasn't true, that he was maybe living a nightmare. But another part of him knew that this was his reality. Thranduil wasn't his father. This man, this…Deorfel was. And, how did that make him feel?

"Maybe I should have guessed," the Elf murmured. "But how can they still love me? I am not a part of them. I never have been."

Tears filled his eyes, but he swiped them away angrily. He didn't want to cry anymore, not yet, at least. He wanted to find his father – the King, he had to remind himself – and…what then? If he did find Thranduil, what would he say? What would he do? Or rather, what could he say and do?

"I want him to hold me like he used to, when I was younger," Calaen whispered. "But if he does, it will not mean anything. He is not my father – he is just another person."

The dark haired Elf stood up unsteadily, head spinning as he did. He looked all around his room, taking in every familiar detail: the untidy bed covers; the books strewn across his desk; creased clothes on the floor – everything in the room was exactly as it had been earlier this morning, last night, the night before. At least, everything except himself.

Physically, he had not changed. But inside, he felt like a completely new Elf. It was as though the life had lived was nothing, and now he had been re-born. He was alone. His mother was dead. His father, the human was dead. Deorfel had been killed… at Thranduil's order.

He didn't know how that made him feel. Part of him hated the King for taking the life of his blood-father. But the other part, the greater part of him felt no sadness. He could not deny that his life with Thranduil as his father had been a happy one – most of it, at least. And nor would he claim that the love he had felt for his family was diminishing because of what he had found out.

Calaen knew that even though he was angry with the King at the moment, he still loved him, and could and would not stop looking on him as his father. But that knowledge did not calm his beating heart; it did not soften the inner pain that the revelation had caused. As he was suddenly overcome with rage, he leapt forwards, and grabbed at the covers on his bed.

They ripped down the middle by the force of his strong hands, and he threw them to the ground, making a noise of anger as he did. He did not even stop to consider what he was doing, as he kicked at anything that lay in front of him; as he punched the wall; as he ripped pages from books; as he smashed ink bottles.

All he wanted to do in that moment in time was vent the hurt and pain he was feeling onto anything and everything else. His green eyes exploded in rage, and as the skin on his knuckles was torn by his fist connecting with the corner of the oak wardrobe, he did not even notice the blood.

But then, as suddenly as he had started, he stopped. He stood still, his breathing heavy and ragged, and he stared around at the mess he had created. Choking back a sob, he fell to his knees. The devastated Prince stayed like that for a long time, in the middle of the destruction, which was so alike to the destruction of his own heart and mind.

……………………………………………………………………………………………....

Only thirty minutes later, and Thranduil and Airëlus were seated in the dining hall, trying to force down breakfast and keep up the pretence that everything was fine. Little Legolas sat eating some fruit, chattering away between mouthfuls, entirely oblivious to the tension that lay between his father and brother.

"And Ameldir said that I didn't have to go to any lessons today, because he didn't think it was fair for me to have to work everyday when Airëlus is home from patrol, because he might be going away soon. Isn't that right?" The Elfling pressed on without waiting for an answer. "I want to go to the archery fields today. Can you come with me, Airëlus? Oh, and then, can we go riding? Airëlus? Hello, are you awake?"

The Crown Prince looked up in annoyance. "What, Legolas?"

"I only wanted to know if you'd come riding with me," the child replied falteringly.

"Whatever you want," Airëlus sighed.

Thranduil glanced across at Legolas, and forced himself to smile. "Greenleaf, will you do me a favour? I want you to go and see where Calaen is. He should have been down a while ago."

Legolas hesitated, wondering how to deny this request. Then he smiled, and put a strawberry in his mouth. "I'm eating."

"That strawberry will be gone in a matter of seconds."

"I wanted some more, Ada."

Thranduil sighed as he took some strawberries and pressed them into his son's hand. "Then, you may take these for the journey. Go on now, before I ask Ameldir to change his mind about your lessons."

Legolas shrugged as he jumped down from his chair. He didn't want lessons, but the idea of seeing Calaen was not particularly appealing either. Still, he had no real objections to facing his brother if it meant being given the chance to spend the day with Airëlus.

As soon as the child had left the dining hall, Thranduil moved to sit next to his eldest son. "I know you are angry with me, and I do not blame you. I would be too, if I was in your position. But please, do not punish me with this cold silence."

"Tell him," Airëlus said softly.

"No."

"You ask me to break this silence, but it is because of your silence that I hold mine," Airëlus replied. "All you need to do is tell Calaen. It will be easier than you think."

Thranduil sighed and shook his head. "You ask too much of me."

"In that case…" The Crown Prince stood, and walked to the doors. "I only wish you would at least consider it before being so hasty to refuse my request."

"What are you doing?" Thranduil asked in annoyance, deliberately ignoring the comment.

"I need some time alone," was the cold reply.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Legolas stopped outside his brother's room, and finished eating the last of his strawberries. He looked down at the red stain on his hands, and automatically rubbed them on his tunic. Ah. Now that was dirty. Oh well, the marks were not that obvious, he reflected, as he raised a hand to knock on the door.

But without warning, it flew open even before he touched it. The Elfling jumped back in surprise as Calaen came storming out, and his eyes widened as he caught a glimpse of the destruction in his brother's room, before the door swung shut again. Biting down on his lip, he reached out a tentative hand, and caught the Elf's tunic.

"What do you want?" Calaen growled, spinning around and pushing his brother against the wall.

"I…I…Ada wanted me to see what you were doing," Legolas said, struggling to keep his voice free from fear.

"Did he?" Calaen murmured. "And, what will you tell him?"

The Elfling swallowed nervously, and shook his head slightly as the grip on his tunic tightened. For many months now, his brother had taunted him with cruel and mocking words, but never had he been this forceful. Legolas had faced very little violence in his life, and was far from used to it, especially from one of his family members.

"Answer me!" Calaen snapped, shaking the child.

"I don't know. What do you want me to tell him?" Legolas asked.

The dark haired Elf pulled his hands away from his brother's tunic, and shook his head. The look in his eyes seemed almost to be one of defeat. "I don't care. I don't care any more. Just…just cover for me. Make something up."

"Cal?"

"You heard."

"Yes, but I don't…" Legolas trailed off as a cold gaze was fixed on him. "Alright."

The elder Prince nodded curtly, before turning on his heel and walking down the corridor. Needless to say he left behind a very confused Elfling. Legolas was tempted to go and see just how much damage had been done to his brother's room, but decided instead to return to his father.

……………………………………………………………………………………………....

King Thranduil's gaze was fixed on a spot somewhere on the far wall of the dining hall, and in fact, so concentrated were his eyes on that particular place, that he did not even hear the soft pattering of small feet on the floor. Nor did he notice the child standing at his side, or the gentle tugging on his arm.

"Ada!" Legolas said loudly, for the fourth time.

Snapped from his reverie, Thranduil looked down in surprise. "What? Oh, it is you."

"Who else would it be?" Legolas asked.

"Forgive me, I was…distracted," the Elven-king replied. "What was it that you wanted?"

"You asked me to go and see why Calaen hasn't come down for breakfast, so that's what I did, and now I've come back to tell you that he is still in bed." Legolas nodded to emphasise his point. "Yes, he is still in bed."

"Then, he is still asleep?" Thranduil asked in surprise. "Why?"

The child rolled his eyes slightly. "Ada…"

"What?"

"If he was asleep, then why would I ask him anything? And, if I was silly enough to ask him anything, then I don't think he would answer. And if he did answer…" Legolas fell silent, and shrugged. "If he did answer, I would be worried. You see, if you're asleep, then you're not really supposed to talk."

"Of course. How silly of me." Thranduil sighed and rested his head in his hands.

Legolas bit his lip, and reached up to touch the Elven-king's arm. "Ada, are you alright? You seem…I don't know. Different."

"I am just tried," Thranduil replied. He looked down, and smiled weakly. "No ion-nin, I am fine, but I thank you for your concern."

Legolas was silent as he jumped up onto his father's lap and cuddled up against him. He thought that there was something wring with his family. They all seemed to be upset for some reason. Though, he didn't know why. Maybe it was just 'one of those days' as some people said. Yes, that was probably it.

Thranduil closed his eyes as he kissed the top of his Elfling's golden head. At any other time, he would not have allowed Legolas to display such behaviour at the dining hall, but today, he just did not care.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Haldir's Heart and Soul: Yeah, Legolas was the only one who didn't know. Poor him, being kept in the dark. And yeah, Airëlus totally wouldn't feel any different about Calaen, just because he's the son of a human. That would be mean :(

Legolas-gurl88: Ugh, I am so cold. I had to wait an hour for my bus – which, by the way didn't even bother to show up for ages – and then it began to rain, and the wind was blowing really hard, so my dad had to come and get me. But then, like, two minutes before he pulled up, the bus did. I just waved it on in irritation, because I was so fed up with having to wait. No doubt I'll tell you all this again when I e-mail you!

Jedi Gollum: Oh yeah, McDonald's food is really nice – despite some of the stuff that goes in it. But to be honest with you, the British McDonald's are just cheap imitations of the American ones, and no-one really wants to work there. But I had no choice – I need money! Oh dear, Billy Bob knows about Deorfel? Don't let Cal find out – he wouldn't be happy. And no, I've not seen LOST. I don't think we have it in England. Are we deprived?

Lombadia Greenleaf: Oh yes, my other stories will definitely contain Legolas. A few of the others will be in them also: Thranduil, Elladan, Elrohir…who else do I like to torture? LOL! Yeah, I'm not done causing pain to these poor people!

Elven Kitten: I'm glad you liked it!

Utsuri: I'm glad you liked the way that I did the chapter! It took me ages to write! Yeah, Airëlus definitely wants to tell Calaen, and Thranduil definitely doesn't, so that's bound to cause problems between them. Legolas will find out eventually, but all I'm saying is that it won't be for a very, very long time. What's up with the fries at McDonald's? I hope they're not too gross, cos I really like them!

Halimanya: Yep, definitely poor Calaen! There is much angst ahead. As always!

Irish Anor: I expect there'll be family issues for a lot of chapters to come!!!

Well, I'm sorry about the delayed update, but I couldn't help it, what with being down for submission and everything. But hey, its up now. Hopefully there won't be any more problems, so the updates won't be as…what's the word? I know what I mean, but I can't think of the word. Anyway, you probably get what I'm saying. So, see you all soon!

Luv Misto

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