An: I'm back! With chapter 2. And I got reviews. :D.

Anyway, responses to reviews

Haldir's heart and soul: No, Thranduil isn't really bad. He only snapped at Legolas because he was stressed, which most people would be if they had been working non-stop for a few days. And he does want to join Legolas but, he feels he needs to work. So like I say, Thranduil isn't bad, he is a loving caring father, though not perfect, and that's why he snapped at Legolas. He's a very good Father, (I don't like Evil!Thranduil stories, only where's he's really a loving Father,) who like most parents does have a few misunderstanding with his son.

Jc: Um…I never really thought about how old Legolas is, I'd say in this fic he's about…in mortal terms early 20s, which makes him in elven years (by how I work it out) early 2000s.

Nautika: No, I don't handle suspense well either. That's why I try to update quickly

Flames of the moon: Na, I won't be one of those people, mainly because I hate it when people don't finish fics. Especially if hey are good ones.

Ak-stinger: Thranduil really did want to go to the river with Legolas, he just had too much work, and he had to put that first.

Anyway, on with the fic. Here's chapter 2. This isn't as action packed as other chapters. But anyway here's the most angst filled chapter of the whole fic. I think anyway.

Chapter 2:-A Father's worry

Thranduil continued to struggle with the guards, wanting desperately to rescue his son from the forest river. The river led to a waterfall, and then further than that were rapids. It was doubtful that his son would survive unless Thranduil rescued him. The King knew he would likely suffer the same fate as Legolas but he gave no regard for his own life.

The last words he had said to his son played over in his mind get out! Leave me in peace! He had snapped. He had not meant them. Stress had once again got the better of him. He groaned Why didn't I listen to him, why didn't I agree to go with him. I wanted to…I wish I wasn't forced to put my work for the Kingdom in front of him…

The mother's with children began to lead them away, lest the king would notice them and his grief would deepen. The guards began to pull the distraught King from the river

"We have to go after him!" the King suddenly snapped pulling off an outer robe, till he was wearing only leggings and a tunic which was much to fine for riding through Mirkwood "Bring my horse and sword, we are going after him"

None of the elves still gathered dared suggest that there was little point in trying to find Legolas, and they went of to do their king's bidding

Legolas...Valar, please still live…I'm sorry for my words he thought in his grief Oh Valar, if only I had not been so preoccupied with work. If only I had joined him here…though he knew it would have made little difference. Soft tears fell from his closed eyes, as the guards he had requested came up to him, leading his horse.

Commander Tirinvo, captain of the elven guards handed him the reins, and the King's sword. "My Lord, I suggest you remain behind. We will return him to you quicker that way."

Thranduil shook his head, knowing the reason the commander wanted him to stay was because he did not want him to be the first to lay eyes on his only son's broken body lying at the side of the river, his glassy eyes staring up at him. His lips still and cold, never again to laugh. He shook his head, casting aside the distressing image, trying to assure himself that Legolas was alive. But knowing it was not likely. Why did I yell at him! He cursed himself I don't want the last words I said to him to be harsh…Oh ion-nin!

The King would give anything to turn back time and return to that morning, and then he would not have turned down his son's offer and…

"My Lord Thranduil?"

Tirinvo's voice pulled him back from his reverie, he turned to his commander "Yes" he asked softly

"We are ready to leave"

The King mounted his horse "Very well" he nodded, still half lost in his thought of his son, terrible images of his son lying broken somewhere flooded his mind. In these images Legolas would be calling out for him, but unable to move, and then Legolas' eyes would close and his breathing would stop. Thranduil knew it was just his Father's heart worrying but he could not help it. He loved his son more than anything, more than even his realm; few realised that, for to those he did not know he seemed untrusting and cold even frightening. And if they in anyway hurt his beloved son, then they would wish they had never heard the name of King Thranduil. But to those he was well known to, his people, Lord Elrond and most of all his son, they alone knew his true personality; they alone knew he was kind and loving. Even strangers had only to see the King with Legolas to know that the King's most precious treasure was his son. One whose loss would lead to his death…

Thranduil expelled the thought from his mind. His son was alive. He knew he had to believe that.

Beside him, at the head of the riders Tirinvo looked at him sympathetically, he held little hope for Legolas survival. But he too clung to that slightest of hope. He loved Legolas like a son, he always had done. His own son had died along with his wife in an orc attack. The grief had nearly killed the commander, the only thing keeping the warrior alive in the end being a lust for revenge. And then the first time he had laid eyes on Legolas he had fallen in love with the elfling, as had many of the other warriors, and had pledged his life to protect the youngster. Hoping that by keeping the young prince from harm it would erase the guilt he felt for not being able to protect his own son. He chanced another glance at the King, who was now singing softly to him self, a song the King had sang to Legolas to get him to sleep when the Prince had been a mere elfling. With a soft smile the Commander reached out and squeezed Thranduil's shoulder gently.

Thranduil gazed at him sadly "I am so worried for him Tirinvo"

"Believe in him Thranduil. Believe he still lives." Tirinvo advised his friend and King

"How can I know if he does…" the distraught King replied

"What does your heart tell you?" The commander turned away "Listen to your heart Thranduil. You will know if he dies. There will be a pain there like no other. I only hope you never feel it. A father should never have to bury his son"

"An elf should never have to die" whispered Thranduil "I often wonder how you did not give in to the grief. I surely could not live without Legolas"

"I nearly did. But when I saw Legolas, I realised I had to protect him, in return for failing my own son"

"You did not fail your son" Thranduil said bitterly

"I know that now. And neither have you" Tirinvo replied

Thranduil shook his head, not believing the commander. How could he not have failed his son? The Prince had been hurt many a time. And Thranduil believed he should have been able to prevent them. But I did not…I failed in protecting him so many times. It should have been my duty to protect him…

Tears welled in the elven Kings eyes as he thought of his son. I should have protected him…I should have been at the river with him, I shouldn't have shouted at him…told him to leave me in peace. I should have tried harder to protect him. For if a Father cannot protect his son, who will?

I should have protected him. But I could not…

Tirinvo broke him from his thought as he reined in the horse "Come Thranduil. We will rest here for the night"

"Light a fire" Thranduil ordered as he dismounted

"But My Lord, it'll attract the orcs to our presence" protested one elf warrior

"I said Light a Fire!" Thranduil snapped, but then he closed his eyes "It also may serve to lead Legolas to us…"

No one protested. It was not safe to argue when Thranduil was in this kind of mood.


Thranduil turned in his sleep; a dreadful image of his son flashed up in his mind…glassy eyes stared at him, his chest no longer moved in rhythmic patterns. His lips were still. Dead. The word echoed in his mind. With an agonised cry the King rushed to his son's side, despite knowing it was too late. His son would never laugh again…never smile… "Legolas!" Thranduil woke with a start, the cry sounding out in the forest. It was nearing sunrise. The gathered warriors were gazing at him sympathetically. The fire he had requested stay burning had long since turned to ash. When did I fall asleep? He asked himself. Then the answer came to him. He glared across at his commander He slipped something in the water he gave me. What if Legolas had returned and he needed me!

The elves had reached the base of the waterfall and were nearing the rapids. Thranduil's last hope was that Legolas had been found by the Raft elves, or by Men of Lake town. He insisted they keep looking, even though his own hope of ever finding his son alive was rapidly fading to nothing…

TBC…

An: I've just realised how many quotes from The Lord of the Rings I've actually slipped in. Lol

I'll be back tomorrow most likely with chapter 3.