Chapter Twenty: Thranduil is Depressed

"Thranduil?"

Thranduil sat at the edge of his bed, looking up he saw Celeborn.

"Don't act this way. I know Legolas and though he misbehaved, you are still a great father."

"No. I am not. You have made me realize this." Thranduil kept his head down as he had been crying before, uncontrollably missing his wife and feeling terrible. Celeborn felt just as terrible since he was the fault of the elven king's misery - and Galadriel had slapped him.

"Legolas loves you so much Thranduil, as do all your children. They all depend on you."

"Yes... but I am much to harsh with my baby and punish him far too often."

"How often do you give the boy discipline?"

Thranduil did not wish to admit the fact to his friend.

"Thranduil..." The way Celeborn had said the king's name sounded just as Thranduil and Haldir had said many times to Legolas when he did not answer, which was often.

"At least once a month... but he is the fault of it. Though you showed me how terrible that is."

"Stop saying that! It is all not true. Legolas loves you deeply, though he may not always show it. He needs you Thranduil and loves you just as you are!"

"He... said one time... that he hated me."

---Flashback

"Ada, please stop! I will be good!"

Legolas' small backside was being slapped repeatedly by Thranduil's strong hand, as the elfling had been quite bad and had bitten a good piece of flesh from Cield's shoulder with his small sharp teeth- all on purpose.

Thranduil pulled up the elfling's small leggings and gently pat the elfling's back.

"Stand up, my little birdie."

Legolas pulled himself off his father's lap and stood up, frowning at his father.

"Why you hit me?"

"Because you where bad."

"But I said I was sorry so many times to you and Key!"

"It is not reason to have bitten your brother, he is now being healed by healers, and possibly will need stitches."

Legolas stormed away.

"I HATE YOU ADA!"

The entire color from Thranduil's face faded and he looked at the marble floor in disbelief. His little baby elfling had just claimed to hate him.

---End Flashback

"Thranduil, all elflings are like that. All."

Thranduil sighed.

"You are correct, I suppose. I was just like Legolas, always getting into mischief. My father was much harsher and gave me many more beatings than Legolas will ever get in his life - or so I hope. But I will be a better father than my own... I will not beat Legolas as he did to me and I will devote all my time – well as much as I may spare – to the sweet baby."

To Be Continued