Hi everyone! I didn't realize that the end of chapter 32 sounded like the end of the story until a few people asked me if it was the end, lol! Nopers, there are still 3 chapters left after this one! :)

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Legolas sighed with relief as he sat before the fire, thickly wrapped in blankets. He was still cold, but the heat from the flames felt wonderful on his face, and he closed his eyes drowsily. Hot baths were being drawn for everyone, and he awaited it eagerly.

Hands suddenly touched his arms, rubbing up and down to create more heat. Without turning around, he knew it to be his father.

"Are you all right?" Thranduil asked, kneeling beside him.

Legolas nodded, closing his eyes again.

There was a sudden knock on the door, and Thranduil bid their friends to enter.

The twins and Aragorn came in, immediately joining Legolas by the fire.

"Legolas," said Elladan, wrapping his arms around his long-time friend. "We heard some of what has happened to you! How I wish that I had been here, to help in any way that I could!"

Elrohir sat on Legolas' other side, wrapping his own arm around the younger elf. "As do I!" he said.

Legolas smiled as they both hugged him. "I know. I am glad to have you here now."

Thranduil and Elrond watched their sons, smiling until Legolas suddenly started to cough.

Thranduil had heated the cherry-bark and miruvor the minute that they'd entered the room, and Aragorn retrieved it, pouring it into a cup and handing it to the elf.

Legolas drank it, grateful that the drink was no longer frozen. His obvious enjoyment of the tea's taste caught the twins' attention.

"What?" Elladan said to his father. "You made Legolas' medicine good tasting? Why does ours always taste like orc feet?"

"Because he loves me more than you," said Legolas, smugly.

Everyone laughed, as Elrohir reached over to playfully whack his friend's arm.

A few minutes later, they were notified that their baths were ready, and everyone adjourned to their own rooms. Thranduil was unwilling to leave just yet, and watched as his son went into his bath chamber.

Legolas was too weary to feel his father's eyes on him as he practically shuffled into the next room. Steam from the bathwater filled the air, and he quickly stripped and got into the deep tub, giving a loud sigh of contentment at the feel of the water's wonderful heat. He picked up a nearby bottle of liquid soap and poured it into the water, watching as bubbles formed.

Closing his eyes, Legolas relaxed and began to fall asleep. He was brought out of his doze when he heard the door open.

"Legolas?" called his father, softly. "You haven't fallen asleep, have you?"

Legolas chuckled at his father's astuteness, but it turned into a cough.

Thranduil entered the room, concerned, but he couldn't resist a smile at the sight of his son's head sticking out of a tub of bubbles. He was reminded of when Legolas had been a mere elfing and—unlike most children—had loved to take baths. "You look exhausted," he noted.

Legolas knew that there was no point in denying it, so he nodded.

Thranduil sighed, kneeling beside the tub.

"You do not need to stay," said Legolas, though he was touched by his father's unwillingness to leave his side. "Your journey was nearly as long as mine and Aragorn's. Go bathe."

"Aye, it was," the King agreed. "But yours was much more harrowing." He eyed the bubbles that hid the ugly bruise on his son's chest. "Wet your hair."

Legolas obeyed, disappearing under the water before coming back up.

Thranduil poured some soap into his hand and gently worked it into his son's hair, softly humming.

Legolas closed his eyes with a smile, his senses drifting off again.

Thranduil scooped up water to rinse his son's hair when he saw Legolas fall asleep. The younger elf's head slowly lolled to the left before he abruptly woke, blinking groggily.

"I do not think it wise for you to remain here in such a state," said Thranduil, smiling.

Legolas nodded, reluctantly. "Aye."

Thranduil knew the reason for his son's hesitation; the younger elf was enjoying the water's heat. "Come, you can sleep before the fire."

Legolas nodded, trying to resist a yawn.

"I will fetch you some nightclothes," Thranduil said, standing.

"All right," said Legolas, drowsily.

The elven-king smiled at his son, before leaving the room.

Crossing to Legolas' dresser, Thranduil chose comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. Going back into the bath chamber, he left the pile on a stool, noticing that Legolas had managed to fall asleep in the tub once again. "Greenleaf," he called. "Wake, before you drown!"

Legolas opened his eyes, blinking blearily.

"Do you require help?" Thranduil asked.

Legolas shook his head. "No, I'm fine. Hannon le, ada."

Thranduil smiled, knowing that his son was thanking him for more than just his offer of assistance. "You're very welcome, ion-nin. Be sure to get out of that water!"

Legolas smiled, giving a chuckle.

Thranduil left the room again, crossing to the couch and dragging it closer to the fire. That done, he went to the closet and took out some blankets, dropping them onto the couch.

Legolas came out of the bathing chamber a few minutes later, his eyes half-shut with exhaustion. Thranduil took his arm and lead him to the couch, sitting him down and wrapping the blankets around him.

"Sleep," said the king, pushing his son to lie down.

Legolas yawned again, eyes closed.

Thranduil draped another blanket over him before pulling his son's hair out from inside the blanket, so that it wouldn't chill his neck.

"Hannon le," Legolas said again, his voice nearly a whisper.

Thranduil smiled but didn't answer, as Legolas was already asleep.

A few minutes later, Aragorn—fresh from his bath—came to the room and peeked his head in. He saw Legolas asleep and Thranduil sitting on the floor before the couch, his head laying on it and his hand clutching his son's under the blankets.

Smiling at the sight, Aragorn re-closed the door and tiptoed away.