Hello,

First let me apologise if I clogged your mail boxes up with author alerts yesterday. I think was having problems, but I can account for two of them alerts. I had to reupload the chapter because somehow it was showing chapter 1 as chapter 2 and vice versa.

Anyway, thank you to everyone who reviewed.

Caunoiech: Can I have coca-cola instead?

Missy: You'd better stock up on the Kleenex; the chapter that made me cry is yet to come…

Astalder27: All shall be explained in the last chapter… and Thranduil the muse, who is sat on my shoulder (he's only 7 inches high!) would like me to inform you that he didn't mean it and he loves Legolas really and Aranel is an….HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT ABOUT ME THRANDUIL!

Anyway, here is chapter 3. Not much happens in this one, just a bit of character angst…mainly for Thranduil.

Chapter 3

Legolas leant against a tree in the depths of Mirkwood, staring fixedly at Estel's back as the mortal made a fire, his mind was in turmoil, and he did not know what to think anymore. He had always believed his Father loved him, but now…his mind flashed back to Raenthír, the elf who had held them captive not long ago. His father had hated him, and it had been jealousy of the bond between Father and Son that had been behind his actions. Now that bond had been shattered. He never wanted me…then why didn't he give me to someone who did? Was it because he needed an heir? Or did mother want me in the end? If he did not want or need me, why did he not follow mother…why did he always treat me kindly? Was it always a ruse? Or did he truly have a heart of stone?

"Legolas?"

The Prince looked up dazedly "Yes"

"Are you alright"

The prince nodded "I'm…I'm fine" he replied, but the mortal's raised eyebrow told the prince he was not believed. Legolas frowned "I am!" he insisted. The mortal stood and walked to sit beside his friend

"No you are not" he said "Legolas, your Father will be beside himself with worry"

Legolas looked at his friend, and the mortal frowned at the look of loss and desperation on his friend's face. "Estel, did you not hear him. He said he didn't need me. He will not be searching for me"

Estel's frown deepened "Legolas," he began running a hand through his hair. "I know your Father loves you, how could he not?"

Legolas looked away "It was a front. He was faking it"

"You cannot fake loving somebody, and your Father loves you. If you returned…"

"No! I do not even know why you convinced me to write him a note!"

Estel rose to his feet "Legolas, I saw him after he said those words; he was eaten up by guilt! And now in that note you have told him you will never return. Legolas, it will kill him!"

"I will not return to a Father who does not love or need me!

The mortal shook his head, there would be no changing his mind, there never was, Legolas was too stubborn, Estel walked to his pack and delved into it producing a pack of Lembas bread, some of which he tossed to Legolas, which the elf prince ate gratefully. Estel sat down next to the prince again "It seems that neither of us is on speaking terms with our Fathers."

Legolas met his eyes briefly "At least you know that your Father loves you" he said

Estel glanced at his friend "Legolas…" he began, but was silenced by the elf who stood, swiftly fitting an arrow to his bow. "Orcs!" he spat. Estel too pulled his sword from his scabbard, just as the orcs burst from the surrounding trees.

The orcs stopped as they saw who they faced, Legolas paled as he saw fifteen of the same orcs-including the leader-he had faced earlier that day

The orcs laughed gutturally, "Look who it is boys" he snarled "It's the pretty little Prince Legolas, and he's brought a friend"

Estel looked over at Legolas his face slightly fearful, the Elf prince stepped back, motioning Estel to the trees. "Get into the trees" he said swiftly

"Shut up with your vile tongue" the orc snapped moving to grab Legolas, but the elf was gone dodging back, and leaping into the trees, joined by Estel shortly afterwards. Then together they dodged back through the trees, in the direction of Thranduil's halls.

Legolas crouched in the trees outside the woodland halls, glaring daggers at Estel. "I will not return!" he snapped

The mortal shook his head "I do not ask you to, but we should take our horses" he looked at Legolas, who eventually nodded, agreeing with him. Then together, the darted over the wall and dropped down into the gardens, together they made their way to the stables. Not long after leading their horses out, Legolas his tall white stallion, unconfined from a saddle and reins. Estel a black gelding, unlike Legolas, the mortal could not ride without a saddle, nor would he like to attempt it. Glancing across at Legolas, he saw the Prince looking as if he would break. He reached out and squeezed Legolas' shoulder reassuringly. Legolas glanced back and smiled softly, yet Estel noted how the smile did not reach his eyes. The Prince glanced around, up his home, tears forming in his eyes, as he thought how he may never see it again. But he could not stay here, not if his father did not love him…

On a balcony above them, Thranduil stood unobserved, hiding in the shadows, he stepped backwards hiding deeper in the shadows, but he saw the tearful, lost look on Legolas' face, and knew it would haunt him for a long time. Never had he felt so guilty, not even when he had been forced to beat Legolas in Raenthír's caves had he felt this awful. For Legolas had begged him to do that, but this had been said without thinking, "What have I done?" he whispered "Oh Alassante, Our son hates me, and it's my fault" he sank to his knees, and I lost him today, when I need him most.

Flashback

Thranduil made his way through the forests of Mirkwood, glad to be free of his Father's chores for a day, since arriving here, his Father had set about establishing the realm, with his son aiding him. Now Thranduil was free to do what he wished, he stood listening to the birdsong, when a soft laugh from beyond the trees caught his attention, pushing aside a branch he saw a beautiful clearing; a waterfall fell softly into a pool, and flowers grew everywhere, but it was not that which caused his heart to beat faster. In the centre of the clearing sat three elves, two male and two female, one being a mere child. Thranduil gazed in wonder at the older female, a true beauty, in his eyes one to rival that of Galadriel herself, long golden hair cascaded down her back, and her face was beautiful, the fairest he had seen in a long time. "Valar" he breathed.

The elves turned to face him, rising to their feet, at the sight of the stranger. Thranduil nodded in greeting, "I am sorry to disturb you" he said, but he was stopped by the female

"No please, join us. You are the son of our new King are you not?"

Thranduil nodded; "I am, may I ask your name." he took her hand and kissed it gently

The female blushed, she too was enamoured by the tall handsome elf lord that stood before her "I am Alassante, My Lord" she turned to her friends "and this is my brother, Taurino, his friend, Vanyon and his youngest sister, Altatari." Each greeted him in turn, though Vanyon seemed rather reluctant, the Prince noted

"So, you believe that you can enter Mirkwood and rule us" Vanyon said spitefully his voice contemptuous.

"Vanyon!" Alassante gasped horrified. She had known Vanyon did not trust or like the Sindar, yet she was surprised the elf would say such a thing to the Prince of the new realm

Thranduil looked at the male elf, "We have been accepted by the majority, you asked us to rule you."

But Vanyon stepped forward, his hatred for the Sindar had just been increased by he saw the way this Prince look at Alassante, the female knew Vanyon loved her, but she did not feel the same. He glared at Thranduil, and stormed off his sister running in his wake.

"I am ever so sorry for my friend's actions" Taurino said then, an apologetic smile playing on his lips. "Do not be angry with him, My Lord"

Thranduil shook his head "I will not, Father warned me that there would be some elves who did not like us or wish to accept our rule"

Taurino smiled "Most of us know you will improve our lives in Greenwood, most of believe you will create a great realm. It is simply a few who do not, my Lord"

Alassante glanced at her brother "I never believed that you knew how to be diplomatic" she quipped before turning to Thranduil, only to come face to face with another elf lord. She raised a hand to her mouth "King Oropher" she whispered, dropping into a curtsey.

Thranduil bit his lip "Adar," he said with a smile

"Thranduil," complained the king obviously trying to keep his temper in check "I told you last night that there was a council meeting this morning. You purposefully missed it!"

Thranduil stifled a smile "I'm sorry, Adar. I…um… forgot"

Oropher sighed "I have had to reschedule it for this afternoon. Then I would like you to assess the new warriors"

Thranduil nodded "I shall meet you back at the halls" he said with a sigh. The King nodded and strode off. "Will I see you later?" he asked his new friends "At the enrolment of new warriors?" Taurino nodded,

"I shall be there, My Lord" he confirmed "It shall be an honour to fight for the King" Alassante stepped forward. "I too shall be there, my lord" she said "not to enrol of course, but I shall offer my brother support"

"Please, there is no need to call me 'my lord' Thranduil will suffice. Now I must take my leave or my Father shall be furious" he said, before turning and following his Father from the clearing.

During that council meeting he concentrated not on the matters, but let his mind drift to think of the beautiful elven maiden he had met in the clearing…

Flashback Ends

Thranduil sighed, theirs had been a whirlwind romance, and it had ended far too soon. But then, hadn't everything happened too soon? He had been forced to take up his Father's title, when he was but a few years older than Legolas was now, and he had been very much like the Prince was now, always seeming to get into trouble, always wanting to have fun, but with the title, he had changed immensely, becoming increasingly careful, and more dedicated to his role as King. It had only been a few years after his Father's death when Alassante had fallen pregnant, the pair was still young, in their first years of wedded bliss, and neither had wanted a child at that age. But it had happened. But when the child-Legolas- was born, both had instantly fallen in love with him.

Then three hundred years later, his beautiful wife was killed, and Thranduil was forced to raise Legolas alone, he loved Legolas like no other, and would have surely forsaken his Kingdom and fled to Mandos if it was not for his son…despite his words earlier, he needed his son, or at least needed to know his son lived and that he was alive. And how could he know that if he was to never to see Legolas again. Do I even deserve to know? After all, it was I who made him leave my foolish words. If I had never had said those words, he would still be here…he shook his head I will make things right between us, Legolas. I will. Be careful, please Ion-nin. Just remember, I will always be here for you… "Look after our son Alassante, please..." he whispered, knowing that somewhere, his wife would hear his plea.

TBC…

Poor Elves, I should be back tomorrow, Maybe, maybe not, Depends on how nice you are to me…and If I have time to update tomorrow evening.

Bye now

Aranel