I am SO sorry it has taken me so longto update. It's been a hectic month though. Had a school trip to France (Disney included!), and only got back a couple of days ago.

So I'm putting up two chapters as recompense for the long wait. Review on either, or both if you're feeling particularly generous!

Faerlain

Elemental flair – I love your name! You'll see about Legolas in later chapters. Thanks for reviewing.

Rayame325 – Heya. Feels like I haven't spoken to you for aaagggeeesss. Yup, poor Crown Prince. You find out his name now. It might come in handy! Thanks for reviewing.

Tiara Shin - HI! Hope you and Haldy are cool. You haven't been online in aaagggeeesss. Well, not since I got back form France anyways…

Nope, Legolas DOES NOT fall in love! Shocked face. Isn't it amazing? Oh, and there are the infamous puppy-dog eyes! Thanks for reviewing.

Kalayna – Faith in the family is always a good thing. Trouble is, I've only got mum and dad to rely on! Lucky Crown Prince…grumbles. Thanks for reviewing.

DaydreamingTurtle – It has been a while has it not! You'll find out the name soon. Thanks for the perspectives theory; I have kept it in mind. And love stories…all mine are growing rather monotonous (ohh, big word!) and samey. You know what I mean? They're always the same old 'Legolas falls in love with random pretty Elf girl…' blah de blah de blah. Thanks for reviewing.

Deana – Yayness! Thanks for reviewing.

Elerrina – You'll get it, don't worry. And will Leggy come galloping to his rescue!

Maybe.

Thanks for reviewing.

Chapter 2: Strength.

Meagereg. That's the name of the Orc guard outside my door right now. I heard the others talking to him. There was another one earlier, Seregrúth. They're both Elven names.

That's confusing.

Meagereg, that means Piercing Thorn if I remember rightly. And Seregrúth is Blood Anger.

Were they Elves once as well?

Were they like me, captured, and tortured so much they became Orcs themselves?

I pray to Eru that doesn't happen to me.

I will not let my spirit be broken!

"Adar, it's been almost a week. He should be back by now."

"Legolas, calm down. Your brother is perfectly capable of looking after himself."

The second eldest Prince just shook his head. "There is something really wrong with him Adar, I can feel it!"

Thranduil sighed. "Legolas, I am not letting you go out and search for him…"

"But his patrol has returned! Most of them at any rate. Along with two others, he is missing. They say they were attacked by Orcs, and lost sight of Ladrenîl, Glînvara, and Balamrûn. And some had already fallen by the time they ran. I refuse to let my brother and his friends be…tortured, or beaten, or goodness knows what else!" He slumped back into the chair opposite his father.

"Finished?"

"Yes Adar."

"Good. Legolas, scouts have been sent out. The three horses have been found, you know that…"

"And I am the only one Roval will let near him. He's distressed without Ladrenîl."

"We all are Legolas. I am as worried as you for your brother's safety."

"There must be something I can do."

"Legolas, while your brother is absent, you are acting as Crown Prince."

Legolas opened his mouth to say something else, and then shut it as he realised what his father was saying was true. An idea clicked into his head. "If Ladrenîl is never found," he began. "I refuse to ever take the throne after you."

"Legolas!"

"I mean it! That throne is meant for Ladrenîl after you have gone. No one else, not me, not any of my other siblings."

Thranduil sighed. Legolas and Ladrenîl were far too like their mother. Stubborn.

"Fine," he said finally. "Organise your own scout." Legolas' face lit up. "But I warn you Legolas. You have three weeks. If you have not found him within that time, you are to return here, understand? And you will continue to fulfil your duties as Crown Prince." He clearly emphasised the last two words.

"Yes Adar, thank you!" He stood and bowed. "I will start preparing immediately."

"You leave at noon tomorrow. Good luck my son."

Legolas smiled lovingly at his father. "Hannon lle," he whispered, then left.

Thranduil sat back in his own chair, rubbing his hands over his face tiredly. In truth, he was worried sick about Ladrenîl. The Prince had been hurt before, but had always returned home before a week was up. It was the same with almost all his children.

Legolas grinned triumphantly at his youngest sister as he left his father's study. "Sorted," he whispered, picking her up and kissing her cheek.

"You'll find 'Ren, won't you Leggy?"

"Course I will Lothriel. Don't you worry; we'll be back before you know it."

She rested her head against the crook of his shoulder as he carried her down the hallway. "I'll miss you," she murmured.

"And I'll miss you Loth. But don't worry, I promise I will come back."

"And you'll have 'Ren?"

Legolas stopped outside his bedroom door and walked in, placing her down on the bed. "Now listen to me Loth," he said seriously. "I need you to be brave for me, ok?"

The young Princess nodded fiercely. "I can be as brave as you Leggy," she told him.

He smiled. "I know you can. But there is a chance that I won't find Ladrenîl, ok? And I need you to be ready for that possibility. If I came back in three weeks without him, I'll need you to be strong for Adar and Naneth. Understand me?"

"Yes Legolas."

"Good girl. Now." He swept her back up into her arms, making her giggle. "I have work to do. I'll be leaving tomorrow at noon. I need you to go down to the kitchens, and get me some food for the journey. You do that for me?"

She nodded and slid down from his arms, scooting off down the hallway.

He sighed and opened his wardrobe. He raised an eyebrow at the mess. "I really need to have a tidy up someday," he murmured to himself, then started digging around looking for a tunic and leggings to wear.

"Loth tells me you're going to find 'Ren," said a voice from the doorway.

Legolas turned round and grinned at his sister. "Of course. Want to come?"

She shook her golden head. "You know Adar would never allow it." She walked in and closed the doorway. "You be careful Legs."

"Síladiel, I'll be fine, don't worry."

"But I worry about you and 'Ren. I know what you're like." She slipped her arms round his waist and leant her head against his chest. "I don't want you to get hurt as well," she whispered.

"For all we know, Ladrenîl is just lost in the woods and perfectly fine."

She shook her head. "I know you can feel it Legolas, don't deny it. I can feel it too."

Legolas nodded. "Ok, I know something is wrong with him…"
"He's been beaten up," she interrupted. "And whipped. I can feel it. My whole body aches."

Legolas pulled away and looked into her eyes. "You're sure it wasn't a dream?"

"I'm sure. Where did I get these bruises from?" She rolled up the sleeve of her dress, and Legolas saw ugly purple and black bruises all the way up. She quickly rolled her sleeve back down. "My back stings like fire," she told him. "And my stomach…it feels as if I've been punched."

Legolas led her over to the bed and sat her down. "When did you start feeling these things?" he asked.

"Two days after he had gone missing. The day the scout crawled back."

Legolas pulled her into a tender embrace. "I'll find him," he said determinedly. "I will find him, and I'll bring him home."

"Legolas, you must find him before two weeks are up. He won't last much longer than that. And if he dies…"

Legolas felt sick. He couldn't lose two siblings. "He will not die," he assured her. "He's stronger than that. Hold on for him Síladiel. You must be strong, for him and the others."

"Loth is coming," she said, pulling back and holding a hand gingerly over her abdomen. "Don't say anything of this to her. I'll see you later at dinner." She kissed his cheek and left his room.

Sure enough, Lothriel appeared just as Síladiel disappeared. "Got some," she told him proudly, holding up a bag.

He grinned at her and held out his arms. She went and sat on his lap, putting the bag beside him. "I got water, lembas, fruit and a bit of meat wrapped in cloth for you. That do?"

"That'll do brilliantly thanks." He kissed her cheek, and tickled her sides. She squealed and slid onto the floor.

"Leggy!"

He grinned and laughed as she pounced back on him.

And now onto Chapter 3!

Faerlain