Chapter 16

It was well into the early morning before Kelderas returned to the palace. He'd quickly made his way to Legolas' room. Thranduil had been the only one there, evidently having convinced everyone to return to their rooms and get rest. When Kelderas came in, Thranduil's head lifted from the book he had been reading. His father's face lit up at the sight of him.

"How is he?" Kelderas asked, before his father could say anything to him.

"He woke for a little," Thranduil answered quietly, placing his book down and standing. "He's just resting now." Kelderas' shoulders sagged with relief and the action made him vulnerable for the embrace that Thranduil wrapped around his body. Kelderas returned it gratefully and the two clung to each other for a moment. "I'm so happy you're back," Thranduil whispered.

Kelderas tightened his embrace, knowing that his father wasn't just talking about the battle. "Me too, Ada."

When they broke away, Thranduil motioned for Kelderas to sit by Legolas' side. Kelderas hesitated for only a second before he did so. For a while, he stared at his brother's sleeping face. It was still pale, but he looked calm and indeed was only resting. Kelderas placed a hand on Legolas' forehead and was surprised when Legolas' eyes fluttered open. They scanned the room tentatively before landing on Kelderas. Behind him, Kelderas heard the door shut, knowing his father was giving them a moment.

"Kelderas," Legolas whispered, a smile coming to his lips. Kelderas smiled back and couldn't help the tears that formed in his eyes. He rubbed a hand over his brother's soft, pale hair. Legolas, seeing the tears, looked immediately distressed. He shifted so he was propped up on his elbows before he reached his uninjured hand up to wipe a tear that had strayed from Kelderas' eye. "I'm sorry I make you sad," Legolas choked, his voice broken.

Kelderas let out a sob before he wrapped his arms around Legolas' small frame. The younger elf tensed slightly at the movement, but then relaxed in his brother's arms as Kelderas held him to his chest. "You don't make me sad," he fought with the emotion that had entered his voice. "I'm sad that bad things happen to you, but I love you Legolas. I will always love you."

"You aren't mad?" Legolas asked, pulling back a little to look his brother in the face. Kelderas stared into those deep blue eyes before shaking his head vehemently.

"No," he said strongly, knowing his brother needed to hear it and believe it. "I'm not mad at you for what's happened. I never will be. I may get mad at you for other things, like if you ever cohort with the twins against me," Kelderas smiled and clipped Legolas' nose, showing him he was joking. Legolas smiled slightly. "But nothing you can ever do will make me stop loving you, do you understand?" Legoals hesitated, looking away. "Legolas, everyone here loves you. Nothing will change that."

"They aren't mad about Nana?" Legolas asked, his voice small.

"They're mad, but not at you." Kelderas sighed and laid his brother back down onto the bed. "We've all been lost haven't we?" He whispered, brushing his hand over Legolas' forehead again. His brother was watching him, interested. "We can't pretend like Naneth never happened. But we can't dwell on it forever. Do think if Naneth was here, she'd want us to be sad all the time?"

"No!" Legolas answered quickly and loudly. Kelderas smiled at his enthusiasm.

"That's right. Let's do our best to make things good again, because that's what Naneth would want. Right?"

Legolas nodded. "I'll try."

"Good," Kelderas kissed his brother's forehead. "Now, what were you doing with a sword?"

Legolas pondered over his answer for a moment. "Not making Nana happy," he finally answered.

Kelderas had to plan his next sentence. If he continued to lecture Legolas on sword safety, he could lose him again. The point was to move quickly away from these sore subjects until they were less of a heartache. "So you won't do it again?" Kelderas asked.

"No," Legolas answered. That was good enough for Kelderas. He stayed by Legolas' side for the rest of the morning, until Thranduil came to gather him for lunch.

Several days later, Elrond's party was preparing to leave. Legolas had healed fully within a couple of days. Things had cheered up shortly after. Legolas had begun to laugh more frequently and with him, his family did so also. Elrond had decided that the next part of the family's healing was to do so on their own, without the guidance of Elrond or his party. There had been many protests, but Elrond had insisted that if they stayed any longer, they would make Mirkwood their permanent home.

Just after lunchtime, both families had gathered in the sitting room to relax before the Rivendell group left. Legolas was sitting on Glorfindel's lap, bouncing slightly as he listened to the twins talk about their escapades with their younger sister, Arwen. Every few minutes, Legolas couldn't contain his mirth about wanting to meet her and made the twins promise to bring her to Mirkwood some day.

Elrond, who was sitting with Celebrian close by, looked over at Thranduil. The Mirkwood king was looking on at the whole scene with a smile. Elrond noted on a somber note that the scene would have been perfect if Narsine would have been standing behind him. But it was a beautiful scene nonetheless. When Thranduil looked his way, Elrond smiled. The king returned the gesture.

The door opened and an elf smiled at Thranduil. Thranduil began to rise, but the elf shook his head. "Legolas has visitors," the elf announced.

Legolas' head whipped to the side as three elflings entered the room. Daeron, Saeros and Nellas entered. Nellas carried a bundle of flowers with her while both Daeron and Saeros carried baskets of bread. Legolas smiled and stood up to run to his friends. Daeron was the first to speak. "Our Naneth's sent gifts for you, Legolas," he said. "And she said specifically not to let anyone con you out of the bread because it's just for you."

Thranduil let out a snort at that, but Daeron just looked at him mischievously. Elrond chuckled.

"How are you?" Saeros asked. "Are you well enough to play?"

Legolas started to answer before he looked back at his father, then the others in the room. "I can't play now. I have to say goodbye to everyone." A hint of sadness hit his voice.

"Your friends can stay until Elrond and company leave, Legolas. Then afterwards you may play with them." Thranduil suggested.

Legolas turned back to the three elflings with a glint in his eyes. "Do you want to stay?" Legolas asked.

"Sure!" Nellas said, her eyes set on the twins as a small blush crept into her face. Everyone chuckled slightly as Nellas' blush grew heftier.

Elrond stretched and stood. "Well, then I suppose it is time for us to leave." He announced. The twins climbed to their feet. Legolas turned, suddenly less enthusiastic. He rushed to Glorfindel's side and clung onto the elf lord as he was rising to his feet. Glorfindel faltered a little, having lost his balance, but caught the elfling and hugged him before standing. Legolas looked up at him, suddenly sad again.

Thranduil walked over and took one of Legolas' hands. "Come, your horses are waiting." Thranduil said.

It took only a few minutes for the Rivendell party to find their packs ready and waiting. Two guards were holding their horses ready. Elrond patted his horse before turning and kneeling in front of Legolas. "You have come very far, penneth," he whispered. Legolas smiled. "We will come back to visit you soon."

Hugs and embraces were exchanged through all. No one noticed when Elladan drew Idrial aside. Idrial looked at him, a smirk on her face. "If you need anything," Elladan whispered. "You can always write to me." He hesitated before adding, "or if you just feel like writing."

"Expect a letter the day after you get back," Idrial whispered back, taking one of his hands. "I will forever be grateful to you and your family." She leaned closer, her lips by his ear before whispering, "but especially to you."

Elladan turned, blushing as he joined his twin in front of Legolas. "Well, Legolas, we'll expect you to have come up with some good tricks we can pull on Glorfindel during our next visit." Legolas smiled and nodded enthusiastically.

When everyone was saying their goodbyes, Glorfindel made his way over to where Legolas stood by Daeron, Saeros and Nellas. He knelt down in front of Legolas, who was looking at him sadly. "You have good, strong friends, Legolas," he said, looking at the three. "You know you can always write to me and I will respond as quickly as possible. But, I'm sure that your friends will listen if ever you need someone to talk to as well. And don't forget your family."

Legolas nodded before stepping forward and wrapping his arms around Glorfindel's neck. "Goodbye, Glorfindel," he whispered.

"Goodbye, Legolas," Glorfindel answered, before breaking away and climbing atop his horse. Elrond gave one last wave before they started to ride out, with a small array of guards to guide them out of Mirkwood.

Elrond leaned over to Glorfindel. "If I'm not mistaken, I think you'll miss the little sprite."

Glorfindel grinned. "He was my only hope of gaining up on the twins. Now, all I have is Erestor."

The Rivendell party laughed heartily as they rode back towards their home.

As soon as they were out of sight. Daeron announced, "When Glorfindel comes back, we should make him an honorary wood elf."

"Yeah!" Saeros yelled. "We could have him spend the night in a tree!"

"Or have an acorn war," Nellas suggested.

"What do you say, Legolas?" Daeron asked, noticing Legolas look longingly towards the spot where the Rivendell party had disappeared.

For a moment, it looked as though Legolas wouldn't answer. But then he said, "We could make him eat twigs or something." He turned and smiled at his friends. Daeron smiled back as Saeros laughed and started to put out more ideas on how to make Glorfindel a wood elf. Legolas started to walk away with his friends. He stopped suddenly, turned and ran to Thranduil and hugged his legs before running to catch up with his friends.

Thranduil watched with a newly warmed heart.

The End

Well, that's it for this story! Sorry about all the delays. I was on a creative low for a little while. I hope you all enjoyed this story. There will be more, but I'm not sure when. I'd like to work on a CSI fanfic, but I'm pretty sure I can work on a CSI one and a Legolas one at the same time. So you might be getting another one soon. Thanks all for sticking with this story through the rocky times.

PL