I couldn't think of a chapter title, so I just stole some words out of a random conversation with a friend of mine. Don't mind them, they're cute! I don't own the Elf, and here's a chapter!

Chapter 29 – Tenebrous, Flippant, and Lackluster

Legolas awoke the following morning to a discreet knocking at his door. It was so quiet he was sure Laura would not even hear it were she awake. Curious, and somewhat irritated at being disturbed so early in the morning, Legolas crawled out of bed, wrapped his robe around him, and swung the door open. His face stern, and hair mussed from an evening of love-making Legolas must have looked a sight to his sister who stood there, a suspicious grin on her face, and flowers in hand.

"Morewen?" He asked, shocked, and appalled to be in such a state.

His sister grinned, and motioned for him to step outside the room.

"What are you doing home?" Legolas asked, once he'd stepped out.

"Father called for my return. Said he did not wish for me to be so far away at a time like this. I'm unsure of what he meant by a time like this. He said he would explain it to you and I today. I only arrived just yesterday. I saw your arrival with a lovely lady late in the night, and thought she might enjoy these." She held the flowers out to him, a sheepish grin upon her face.

"Laura," Legolas ground out, his teeth clenched, cheeks red from embarrassment. "I'm sure will love them. Thank you." He took them from her, and cracking the door open a wee bit, placed them on a table near the door.

"May I ask what you have come to my room at such a time for?" He asked once he'd shut the door, hands upon his hips in irritation.

"Not even happy to see me big brother?" She asked with a pout.

Legolas sighed, and looked her over. She was as lovely as ever. He long blonde hair tied back, ribbons strewn about her hair where it was braided. A flowing green dress, shoulders that were draped far too low in his opinion, and long bell sleeves with a ruby red interior layer. The train of the gown fell to the ground to billow elegantly around her feet, and several feet behind her in a circle.

"Always Morewen, just perhaps a bit irritated that you have interrupted my morning with Laura. She sleeps still, and it was the most peaceful my life has been since mother was still in Arda."

He leaned forward, and pulled his sister in a warm embrace.

Meanwhile in Legolas' room Laura was beginning to stir in bed. The morning sun shone on her face, causing her eyelids to flutter shut a few times before she finally could bring herself to waken completely. Feeling about the bed for a warm body in the cool room, she was disappointed to find only a warm place in the bed beside her.

Curious as to where he'd gone, she crawled over to his side, and leaning over the side of the bed picked up her robe. She squirmed into it best she could, and moved back to her own side of the bed where she stood. Moving to the bathing chamber, and trying the handle to check for his presence within she heard voices close by.

She moved about the room, ever nearing the voices, until she stood before the entrance to Legolas' room. One of the voices she identified as Legolas, and the other belonged to an unknown woman whom Legolas seemed awfully comfortable with. They laughed, well low giggles were a better description. 'They must not want me to hear them.' She thought, jealousy creeping up on her suddenly.

Laura sighed, crossed her arms, changing her stance to one exuding anger, and waited. She waited some more. The two opposite her behind the door continued to speak, laughing, and talking for some time. Finally to the point of frustration, she reached a hand out to open the door. Before her fingers touched the nob she withdrew slightly, unsure of how Legolas would feel were she to interrupt them, and attempting to think up an explanation as to why she would be leaving the room.

Suddenly the door nob turned, and the door was pushed open slightly, and the conversation became clearer to her ears.

"Return around mid-day. I would very much like you to meet her. Then we will go to speak with Adar."

Laura flushed with embarrassment, and uncrossed her arms quickly, moving to stand less threateningly before Legolas could set eyes upon her.

"That sounds wonderful. I would love to meet this human who has stolen an Elf's heart, and not just any Elf. My big brother."

Laura sighed, and was visibly relieved when Legolas was fully in the room, and looking in confusion at the empty bed.

"Laura?" He whispered, as though she were still asleep somewhere, buried within the covers of the bed perhaps.

"Right here." She answered.

Legolas turned, obviously startled for her to be so close. However the shock soon disappeared, and melted into a warm smile as he moved to embrace her in his warm, welcoming arms. Laura sighed, and melded herself into his body, craving his touch.

"I woke up, and you were gone." She whispered into his ear, gently caressing it with a finger.

"Forgive me. My sister wished to speak with me for a few moments. I had hoped to be returned to bed before you had awoken." He smiled, gently caressing her hair, and enjoying the feeling of her stroking his ear.

"That's okay. Is everything okay?" Laura replied, pulling back slightly to peer into his eyes.

He smiled, and shrugged his shoulders in a very un-Elf like manner, causing Laura to smirk.

"She has said father sent for her as he did not wish her to be far from home at a time like this. I am unsure as to what he meant by at a time like this, but she has assured me he will explain it to her today. I will be joining her when father explains. Are you hungry Laura?" He asked, pulling away from her, and moving to a dresser within his room. Opening a drawer he pulled out several articles of clothing, and moved to stand by the bathing room.

"I could eat, though I am far hungrier for what I see before my eyes." Laura replied with a smirk.

Legolas laughed, and as always it was music to her ears. She smiled, and mused to herself that she could never tire of that man, err Elf.

"That does sound tempting my love, however I do think you require nourishment. Change, and I shall accompany you to the dining room." With that he entered the bathing room, and shut the door behind him.

And that was just was Legolas did. He took Laura to have a lovely breakfast in the vast, empty dining room. Laura asked why it was so empty, and he had told her most Elves enjoyed taking breakfast in bed. She had pouted just slightly, saying she'd never been served breakfast in bed, and asked why all the spoiled Elves got to take it every day in bed. Legolas laughed, and soon they had finished eating.

He then took her back to his room, where he instructed her to go back to bed, and await his return.

"I beg of you to not meet another before I am allowed to return for I shall return on wings to you my love."

Laura giggled, shrugged, saying that that Elf she'd seen upon return to Mirkwood borders had been quite fetching. Legolas pouted, and she could not resist kissing him. Somehow he tore himself away, and was now nearing the door, only to find his sister on the other side upon opening it.

She grinned, and glanced into her brothers room, giving a small wave to Laura who lie upon the bed, a glassy eyed look on her relaxed face.

"Legolas," Morewen nodded, and entered his room.

"Hello Laura. It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Morewen, Legolas' younger, smarter, prettier, only, but only by a little, wonderful sister."

Laura smirked, and glanced between the two for a moment, before climbing out of bed, and extending her hand to Morewen to shake. She stared at Laura's offered hand a moment, before tentatively reaching her own out hoping Laura would take the action she wished for on her own.

Laura did, and the two stood shaking hands for a moment before Legolas coughed, and motioned to the door.

"Yes, well I see my brother is in a hurry so I shall follow him. I do hope to see more of you in the future Laura. I wont let father keep him too long." She winked, and then followed her brother out the door.

The two stood outside the door to their father's chambers, each waiting for the other to knock. Morewen glanced around the upper half of the hallway, eyes averted from the door, while Legolas stood staring at the ground.

"Listen, someone's got to knock." Morewen sighed.

"Never." Legolas smirked, backing away a step.

"I always knock, I think you ought to try once. It's really not all that bad. Simply give it a try Legolas." She whined.

"I'm afraid not. I shall never knock upon this door with you here to witness it."

"Oh just get in here you two!" A voice bellowed from within the chamber.

Legolas shrugged, turned to his sister, and smirked.

"I guess I will have to knock next time." He opened the door, and entered, leaving his sister to walk behind him, gritting her teeth in annoyance.

"Legolas, Morewen, thank you for coming." Thranduil smiled warmly, and motioned for each to take a seat.

"Adar," Each nodded respectfully.

"I wish to express my joy at each of your safe returns home. I also wish to impart some tragic news to you. You Morewen, I simply wished to have you by my side once more. You know I have long felt that your place was not running all over Arda with those Rangers, but here at home. It would break my heart were anything to happen to you. I beg you to remain here for a time, by my side once more."

"Of course adar, I will stay for as long as you wish." Morewen responded, always eager to please her father.

"Thank you my daughter, I am lightened by your acquiescence."

She smiled, and nodded. Thranduil then turned to Legolas, his smile turning to a grim, thin line.

"What I am about to impart to you Legolas, must remain within this room. I do not wish to start a hysteria among the other Elves. A small party of Elves from Lorien were sent out two evenings ago, sent here. My scouts have informed me that the party has been intercepted by a rather large party of Orc, goblins, and trolls. They did not bring good news. They carried with them an article of great importance to me Legolas.

"I sent also for your return Morewen for I wished to present this article to you for it's protection. Do you both recall when your mother was residing in Lorien for a time? I went to her only once during her stay there, and there I presented her a ring. This ring was given to me by Elrond many long years ago. This ring while no longer holds any power, was once a great protection ring. Elrond knew how I worried for your mother, and offered me this token, in friendship to ease my troubled heart. Your mother when she departed over the sea."

"I'm afraid I don't recall that ada" Morewen answered, frowning.

"You were young, I suppose you might not. Legolas?" Thranduil asked, turning from his daughter to look at his son sitting beside her.

"I recall. I never knew of the ring however. What of the party from Lorien. Who was among it?"

"I am told it was the Marchwarden, and several other Lorien wardens."

Legolas gasped, and stood immediately from the chair he'd been seated in.

"Haldir?"

Thranduil raised an eyebrow at his sons abnormal behavior, and nodded.

"I'm afraid that was the name I was given. Are you acquainted with him?"

Legolas put his hand to the bridge of his nose, and sighed.

"I am, as well as Laura. She will be devastated."

"Oh, I'm sorry Legolas." Morewen began, standing up, and wrapping a comforting arm around his shoulders.

"I must go to her and give her the news." Legolas started to move towards the door, but Thranduil coughed, stopping his sons retreat.

Turning, he gave his father an irritated, questioning glance.

"Legolas, I have not finished speaking with you." Thranduil responded to his gaze.

He sighed, and turned to return to his chair by his fathers desk.

"Thank you. I have asked you here Legolas, to ask that you and a small party go out to hunt these creatures. I am told some of the Lorien party were taken alive. I do not know if this is true, nor if they remain alive, but we must do something. I am told the Marchwarden, this Haldir was in possession of the ring before the attack, and if he remains living should still be. You will rescue them if you may, and return the bodies of those you are unable to Lorien. Then bring my ring to me as soon as you are able."

Legolas sat a moment in silent consideration, and at length nodded, and stood.

"As you wish Arar, I would very much like to take my leave now. I feel Laura must know of Haldir's fate, unknown as it may be at the time. I seek always to hide naught from her, as I wish the same from her in return. May I be excused?"

Thranduil nodded. "Be sure son that she does not spread the news."

Legolas nodded to his father, then to his sister, and fled from the chamber, bound for his own bed chamber.