First off, I'd like to say thanks to everyone who has reviewed!! It's really really encouraging, and of course motivating to me to write more chapters!


It was high noon. The sun shone down brightly on the forest, and the tree branches seemed to stretch out to feel the warmth on their leaves. Squirrels chattered and chased each other around, as birds sang their unmelodious songs this day in late fall. A month or more till Yuletide, and miles away the elves in their homes were preparing their finest harvest foods, in celebration and thanks of their families, homes, and prosperity. But here, deep within the forest, in a place The Elvenking knew not, his two elflings lay alone, guarded by five unknown men on a mission.

Legolas lay still. He had been awake now for the better part of two minutes, but did not open his eyes. He wanted to go back to sleep, but couldn't; his head hurt, and a small whimper escaped from his pouting lips, as a tear slowly rolled down his cheek. He finally opened his eyes, to see his sister sleeping next to him, her head pressed against his own. He didn't know why she was sleeping next to him, but he was glad to see his big sister there. He was scared, and if he had woken up alone, he surely would've been even more so.

"Ari? Ari, wake up! Wake, up, Ari... pleeease!" Legolas started to cry harder now, and froze in fear when the thought came to him... what if she never wakes up? He panicked now, and began to shake her wildly.

"Ari! ARI! Wake up, please!" The elfling started to kick his sister, his tears flooding his flushed face. After doing this, he finally gave up and curled into a ball, snuggling into Aridel's unmoving body, his small form racked with sobs.

"Nana..." The little elfling sniffed.

"I want Nana! Ada! ADA! ADAAA!" Legolas started to scream for his parents, hoping someone, anyone would come comfort him, and help Aridel. Fortunately, Aridel was not dead, and the elfling's kicks and screams finally woke her. She felt her little brother crying against her, and quickly scrambled him up into her embrace.

"Legolas! Legolas, I'm here. I'm here!" She cradled her little brother like she did when he was a baby, stroking his small pointed ear, and whispering soothing words to him.

"Don't worry, gwador. Shh. I'm right here. Nothing will hurt you, penneth" The elfling slowly calmed down as his sister's words got through to him. His sobs turned to whimpers, and then to silent tears, and with one final sniff, he rubbed his face on Aridel's shirt and looked up to her.

"I thought you wasn't going to wake up, Ari." Aridel gave her brother a small smile and stroked his hair.

"Don't worry, gwador. I'll never leave you." Legolas smiled weakly at his sister, and hugged her once more. She kissed him gently on the top of his head, and just then, their abductor charged into the tent, sword drawn at his side.

Thranduil stood in front of a large gathering of many of his guards and patrols. They were split into 10 groups of five, each group made up of one of the king's personal guards, and 4 of his regular patrols. He was standing on a small platform in front of them, ready to send them into the dark forest to look for his children. Inside he felt like he was going to fall apart; but he knew he had to be strong to lead his people.

"As I'm sure you have heard by now, my son and daughter, the prince Legolas and Princess Aridel have gone missing. We believe they set out yesterday into the forest on horseback, to a place around 10 miles to the southeast. I've marked the place on your maps. Now, while we believe they set out for that location, they may have strayed from the trail. Group one will stay on the path, and progress to the marked location. If you do not find them, keep looking in that same direction. Groups two and three will set out to the south, three and four to the north. Five, and six will stay near the path and look to the south, while seven and eight do the same to the north. Nine will set out to the northeast, and ten to the southeast, in case they in fact did not go the way we think. If any of you find them, or clues to where they are, you will come back here immediately. Regardless if anyone finds anything or not, you are all to meet back here an hour after nightfall. If nothing is found, we will set out again tomorrow at dawn." Thranduil paused to look around at his troops. He knew most of them, and knew they would do whatever it takes to find his children.

"I don't need to tell any of you how important this is. You all know the love I have for my children, and I know you all share love for them as well. So ride! Ride on, and bring them home!" Thranduil stood still on his platform as he watched his troops gracefully hop onto their horses, and ride off in their various directions. Once they had all dispersed, Thranduil reached a hand down to help lower himself as he felt his knees would no longer support him. He silently wiped away a tear that fell down his cheek, as Galion, his most trusted butler, barrel-hauler, babysitter, and friend sat next to him, hand placed comfortingly on his shoulder.


gods sent angel: I can't stand it when people make Thranduil a jerk either! He's kind of mean to dwarves, but that doesn't mean he's a bad father! (growls at people who write "Thranduil beats Legolas then sells him into slavery" stories)

kel: Yes, poor Leggie sniff I hope those mean men don't decide to hurt him more!