Disclaimer…if u have got this far and still don't know then I suggest u read the other chaps before this one!

Hey sorry for the long wait…can you believe it I lost the story!

Well here goes…oh yeah, Legolas is roughly about 13!

And this story is AU!

Chapter Seven – The Meaning of Life

The young prince of Mirkwood, adopted son of lord Elrond was used to getting his own way. Though his father had not really loved him, he had always made sure he was happy. Since he had come to Imladris, he had been spoilt. Now he was confined to the inside of the Last Homely Home. The result being a very bored elfling.

Legolas was not used to having bans. The one on the lake was a harsh blow to the skinny prince. He was curious about the lake and now he was not allowed near it. After several attempts to go to it, Elrond had restricted his movements to the gardens. Legolas had not liked that and the result was several destroyed garden beds. Elrond shut him in the house. For company he had the twins and Arwen. So the four youngsters roamed around the house pulling pranks on various elves. After several elves had complained, Elrond ordered the twins to go and see the rangers in the wild. This left a very bored Legolas and Arwen.

Celebrian knew the two young elves were missing the twins. True they had been gone for just over three months, but for young elflings it must have seemed like forever. She decided to take them for a walk in the trees. Legolas would like that she smiled. She found the two elflings in the Hall of Fire. At first she only saw Arwen, laid out in front of the fire, a book in front of her. Celebrian could tell her daughter was not reading it as she saw a pile of scrunched up paper by her side. Over in the middle of the room was a bucket with paper all around it, some were in it. On closer inspection, Celebrian noticed each ball of paper had a letter on it. A for Arwen and L for Legolas. As to where Legolas was, her question was answered as a ball came flying down from on top of the bookshelf. She looked up and smiled, the blonde elf was lying fully stretched out, a wad of paper by his side. As she watched, he scrunched up another piece and tossed it.

"Hey, that was two!" came Arwen's outraged voice.

"I'm bored!" sighed Legolas rolling off the edge of the bookcase. He righted himself in the air and landed on his feet. Looking up he saw Celebrian and smiled sweetly.

"Her idea!" he grinned.

"WH-!" started Arwen standing up, "Oh hi Nana!" she changed her tone and smiled at her mother. Celebrian smiled.

"Would you like to come for a walk in the trees?" she asked.

"YES please!" cried both elflings rushing towards her and both wrapped their arms round her. Celebrian smiled and took one in each hand and together they left.

Arwen ducked under a shrub and made herself still. Watching through large grey eyes, she saw two thickly set orcs stomp past her hiding place. Taking a deep breath, the young elf maid made her way out and continued to run.

Elladan and Elrohir were on their way home. It was over three months since they had left, and while they liked the rangers, they missed Legolas and Arwen. The twins rode in silence, not needing talk to communicate their thoughts. Thus it was they watched a young elf dodge through the trees, two orcs chasing her. The twins crept closer. Together they saw who the elf was.

"Arwen!" cried Elladan as Elrohir let loose an arrow. One Orc fell while the other turned to them. Elrohir's second arrow took him through the heart. Elladan raced forward to their sister. Arwen clung to them, tears falling down her cheeks.

"What happened? Are you alright?" asked Elladan stroking her hair.

"Naneth, Legolas, orcs! Were surprised, they grabbed her and Las, I ran!" sobbed Arwen. The twins looked at each other and thoughts flew between them. Elladan placed Arwen on his horse. Planting a kiss on her cheek he slapped his horse and Elrohir set his horse to follow. Standing together, the twins watched as their horses made their way to Imladris. They had some last minute hunting to do!

Celebrian watched the elfling through half closed eyes. She could feel the poison seeping through her blood. Her head was sore and there were cuts all up her arms. Not far away huddled Legolas. He was curled up in a small ball, trying to block out all noise and sights. To hear Celebrian scream had shaken him badly. The voices of the orcs were harsh and hurtful. He shivered in fear as they approached him. Three orcs, one held a strange metal device in his hands. Quickly two grabbed his arms and pulled him to his feet. One grabbed his hair to stop him moving his head while the third placed the metal contraption over his head. It was round and fitted over his head, doing up at the back. Celebrian found herself studying the contraption. It was like the skeleton of a ball, only cut in half. It has supports attached to a round bit of metal that clung to Legolas's head; straps ran down and under his chin. Coming down from the outside was a long straight piece of metal. It bent and a wide harsh looking piece was placed in the elflings mouth, Celebrian could see it would stop his tongue from moving, effectively making him mute. This piece was unbending so no matter how you spat or tried to shake it free, it would not come. Once more Celebrian found herself screaming. Legolas was released from the orcs hold and they laughed to watch the young elfling shake his head, clawing at the contraption. He was like a wild horse getting trained. Eventually on shake too near the wall of the cave knocked him out and the elfling crumpled to the ground.

Elladan stood staring at the aftermath of his anger. Upon hearing his mother's screams and the laughter of orcs, the twins had rushing into the cave, swords drawn. It had been quick and it had been bloody, but both had survived unmarked. Now Elladan stood in shock. It was only Elrohir's voice that shook him from it. In three seconds he was by his mother as she sobbed. Carefully he sat down and took her head in his lap. Looking around he saw his brother silently approaching Legolas. The young blonde elf watched with large round eyes, fear evident in them. Elrohir reached out to touch him and was surprised at the quickness of the retreat. The fear, if possible, grew. Elrohir sat down and waited for the elfling to calm down, his grey eyes took in the metal contraption and his eyes checked for any injuries. He felt Legolas's fingers brush against his arm and he waited. Soon Legolas was clutching his arm in two shaking hands. Elrohir knew if he tried to touch the elfling, then Legolas would scoot away again. He had to be patient.

Celebrian felt like her heart was broken. That such creatures found humour in the hurting of younglings was more then she could bear. For one who loved children more than anything, to be made to listen and watch as one was hurt for fun was heart wrenching. Celebrian knew that even if she did recover, she would never be able to stay in Middle-Earth. Her hope of seeing children grow in a peaceful world was broken, the meaning of life lost…