Authors notes: Thanks again to all my brilliant reviewers. I hope this meets with your approval!

OO

Kiren moved forward cautiously watching the two golden elves. Blinking his eyes Kiren thought he was seeing things as the outlines of the pure ones began to mist. Azian had attempted to pull himself together and was sitting up blinking owlishly at his father and brother.

"What are they doing?" he whispered his voice raw from his tears.

"I don't know." Kiren replied. The hysterical sobs from Thranduil had become hiccups and gasping breaths. He was watching the two before him still cradling the still form of his son. He felt a tugging and slowly released Legolas. The elf floated towards the two.

Kiren took his eyes off the scene and turned to see Thranduil and Elrond sit back looking tired.

"Gandalf what are they doing?" Kiren questioned.

"I have no idea young one."

The whole group watched as the pure ones shattered into golden dust which whirled around Legolas's body. The room filled with a bright warm light that the tower had probably never seen before. It seemed to provide a sense of inner peace and then as quickly as the light had appeared it disappeared.

After the spots disappeared from their vision they saw Legolas led on the floor. Again there was silence and no one moved. Thranduil crawled towards his son and he reached out to touch him. Suddenly Legolas took an enormous gulp of air and sat up. Kiren nearly had a heart attack.

Legolas closed his eyes for a brief moment and then he reopened them with a broad smile enveloping his features.

"That's twice now! Miss me?" he inquired impishly.

Thranduil threw himself at Legolas fresh tears falling down his face. In between his sobs he begged for forgiveness. Legolas returned the hug.

"You freed me father. No forgiveness is necessary. I love you."

Azian launched himself over to the pair and was joined in a family hug. Aragorn reached across and pounded Kiren hard on the back in happiness.

The elf turned and fixed him with a glare.

"Do that again and I will remove that arm." He snapped. Aragorn stepped away.

Legolas broke the hug and rose to his feet although a little unsteadily. He moved across to Kiren.

"Thank you my friend." He whispered as he embraced the elf.

"I am afraid Aragorn I have you well and truly beat! Not bad for a prissy elf huh smelly man!"

"If you EVER do that to me again this smelly man will make you seriously regret it!"

Legolas laughed and gave another quick hug.

The elf then moved across to stand next to Gandalf and Elrond over the body of Sauron. A serious expression overcame the elf.

"He will come back." He said softly.

"I believe so although not for a long while."

"Evil never disappears. It will always be here lurking in the shadows."

"That is the way of the world."

Legolas turned to face Elrond. The elf lord started as he looked into the elf's eyes. They were gold and seemed to glow with an inner fire.

"Your eyes?" he said softly. Legolas just offered the older elf an enigmatic smile and moved away from the group. He picked up Sauron's sword and again the others watched in amazement as the sword began to burn bright. It was as if the evil was being drawn out and replaced by light.

Legolas turned and again smiled.

"Let us see what a mess Sauron has been made of my home." He turned and led the weary warriors out of the tower.

O

Aeolian urged his horse faster and then nearly choked when Gimli tightened his grip as the horse jerked.

"Gimli." He crocked as he moved one hand to try and release the hold of the dwarf.

Reluctantly the dwarf did as requested.

"I would have thought that by now master dwarf you would be used to riding."

Gimli snorted in reply. "My feet are still the best form of transport any day elf!"

"If we were waiting for you and your feet I feel we will still be waiting!" Aeolian shot back.

"Elves…" the rest of Gimli's rant dissolved into muttered curses and insults. Aeolian tuned him out. How his brother could stand Gimli's endless complaints was beyond him! The endless patience his brother employed was amazing although his ability to come back with sharp retorts was legendary; perhaps that was how he dealt with it.

Eomer moved his horse closer to Aeolian.

"What do you think happened?" he asked.

"That dratted elf probably touched something he shouldn't have." Gimli announced. "Its not that uncommon."

"True." Aeolian announced.

As they passed out of the trees they slowed to a halt.

"Does the tower seem brighter some how?" Eomer asked.

"The sun is shining on it." One of the elves said in wonder. The horse lord turned to see the Mirkwood elves looking at the tower in awe.

"What?" he questioned.

"It is always in shadow. The sun never shines on it, the darkness is too strong."

"And that means?"

A cautious smile appeared on their faces.

"Could it be possible?"

The two elves charged their horses forward closely followed by the remaining Mirkwood survivors.

"ELF!" Gimli cried and he resumed his vice like grip.

O

Legolas walked out into the sun and he felt it warm his skin with a burning feeling that he had not felt for so long. Thranduil was firmly attached to his side as if afraid that if he let go Legolas would disappear.

Elrond watched the young elf as he squinted at the rays of the sun. Legolas had become subdued; his previous good humour had vanished quickly. Elrond knew the elf had not even begun to process the events that occurred and when it happened Legolas would be overwhelmed. As soon as he saw the cracks begin to appear he would try and draw the others away to give the elf some privacy.

Suddenly Legolas sank to his knees. Thranduil immediately panicked and Elrond stepped forward in an attempt to intercept the elf king. Luckily Azian reached him first and drew the protesting elf away.

Legolas's head was bowed and his blonde hair shielding his face from view. His shoulders rose and fell as he took deep breaths. A clattering of hooves brought his attention right back to the present. His golden eyes fixed on the gate and then a party of mounted elves galloped through. Legolas immediately recognised Aeolian at the head. The elder elf swiftly dismounted and surveyed the scene in shock and confusion. He was lost for words.

The small furry creature that lumbered off the horse behind Aeolian was not so afflicted.

"Would someone mind explaining what is going? Or should I put it down to the craziness of elves?"

"Legolas killed Sauron." Kiren stated intending to add to the shock that the newcomers were exhibiting.

"WHAT?" Aeolian exclaimed. His eyes searched for Legolas and found him walking towards the group. Aeolian met him half way and enveloped the elf in a bone crushing hug.

"Thank you." He whispered. "By the Valor I missed you little brother."

Legolas sighed and sank into the comfort that he had craved for so long and had finally been given without any fear of darkness spoiling it.

OO