Disclaimer- I own nothing!

I know I know- its been ages since I've written anything for this fic- but hopefully I'll be able to gather some ideas and come up with a few more chapters lol. Thanks to SofiaB, NessaThranduiliel and of course Uhhh. Also thanks to Nautika for e-mailing me about this. I haven't abandoned it- I've just been out of ideas!


Thranduil sat slumped in a comfortable high backed chair in front of the blazing fire. His clothes were disheveled and his booted feet slung up onto a footstool. Carelessly he sipped a half filled glass of red wine as he thought back to the funeral of his best fiend, lover and wife. He had stood and watched as she was lowered into the ground and for that he felt guilty. He felt numb with sorrow and grief and it had not have been for his sons tear filled eyes and his daughters cries he would have gladly given up his life there and then.

Legolas, he was was proud of him. He had stood obediently beside his fathers side, his tunic carefully smoothed and his hair neatly braided, he had not even uttered his displeasure at having to wear his circlet. The king had watched his son come out of his bedroom that morning and from his cover within the shadows watched as the mall figure reached up the the delicately carved features of a statuette that stood outside of his door. His mother had chosen that statuette for him just after his birthday but a few years ago. His chin had wobbled slightly and his blue eyes had filled with tears and no matter how hard Thranduil wanted to, he could not make a move to go and comfort him.

The elfling had sat down at the feet of the statue, pulling his legs up to his chest and wrapping his arms around his his knees he had buried his head in his arms and sobbed, his small frame shaking uncontrollably.

But still the king could not allow himself to move. Instead he had watched his son exhaust himself, finally curling himself into a ball and falling into a daze.

As he continued to watch the amber flames of the fire Thranduil found himself unwilling to continue, the pain was simply put...too much.

A sharp knock at the door distracted him and without looking to see who it was he picked up his glass and took another mouthful, no longer caring how much he drank.

"Adar?"

the small unsure voice hit him like a lightening bolt and he struggled to compose himself. Meanwhile the little figure took a step back and putting his hand behind his back as he had seen his father do, waited patiently.

Finally finding the courage to look at his son Thranduil only just managed to withhold his sorrow. Legolas' night wear was creased and his hair was messy, but his eyes were red and his cheeks even more so.

Standing up quickly Thranduil lifted his son into his arm and took hi into the large bedroom. Glad to feel his adar's arms around his again Legolas snuggled into his chest and tightly putting his arms around his neck, breathing in the comforting and familiar scent of pine and something else he didn't know about. And in turn Thranduil held his son to him fir what seemed like the first time and wanting to relish that feel slowed his step.

"Legolas, did you want something or did you simply wish to see me?"

siting up the elfling rubbed his sore eyes with the back of his small fists and nodded.

Laying Legolas down on th bed Thranduil sat beside him and arranged the soft silk covers around him. He knew that eh was being unfair to his son but it was not something that eh could help, it was as if he couldn't not breathe or think anymore with tremendous effort.

Legolas struggled slightly as Thranduil pushed him to lay down and it wasn't until Legolas shouted that he stopped.

"Adar no. No, sleep. Not go sleep"

looking down at his son he smiled softly, the covers were swaddled around him and despite the storm in his eyes he looked adorable, so like his mother.

"Legolas, what is it? I cannot stay with you"

Legolas frowned and bit his lip,

"Adar I hurt"

picking him up and laying him on his lap the king immediately began looking him for any injury.

"Why? Where do you hurt?"

struggling to remove himself of the covers still trapping him Legolas managed to pull them down. Looking up at his father he saw that he was tired and probably did not want to talk to him and normally he would have left him to go and see Nienna and Glorfindel cos he told good stories, but it was really hurting him and it wouldn't stop.

Looking down as if hoping to see a wound Legolas rubbed his chest,

"Hurts here. No sleep adar"

pulling Legolas closer to him he held him tightly. He knew what was wrong. His son as feeling the effect of grief. The only thing that would save him was the love that he craved and the fact that he was so young. Being young he was aware of the loss and felt it keenly, but he was also adaptable and with help and suppose along with love and care he would live to see another day.

The kind stood from the bed and quickly closed the door before making sure that the shutters on the window were still close,d thy had not been opened in days. Kicking off his boots he lifted his son into his arms and lay down, making sure that Legolas was secure in his embrace.

"Head hurts adar"

"Shh, go to sleep little one. I will be here when you wake"

Thranduil watched as Legolas wound one hand into his hair and placed a thumb in his mouth. Slowly Legolas eyes began to glaze and he blinked drowsily until finally he drifted into sleep.

Kissing his sons forehead he cuddled his tight and thought about his daughter. What was he going to do? He couldn't leave her in he care of a nurse forever and surely Legolas would appreciate having her around. Being a week old the newborn princess was as demanding as her mother but as patient as her father. She wanted everything then and there and if she was not adhered to she would scream until she got it.

But she was adorable and perfect. Her green eyes re the image of her fathers and already he had elves swooning and demaning to hold her. Some had even gone as far as to threaten to steal such a jewel.

The royal family had lost but they had gained and as he gazed at his son Thranduil already knew what he would do to secure the future of his family.

I'll be back with the next chapter if you guys want to read more- let me know!