Disclaimer- I own nothing! At all!

SofiaB- it's a good take on it- I think so too. Thanks as always

Beechiki- I know- me too ina way. But here had to be an obvious build up to this chapter. Thanks.

Uh- hey you!- lol thanks. Well that the thing- you don't know and neither do they- so you gotta take a chance and see what happens. Let me know what ya think of this! x

Laurenke1- hiya Lauren, you're welcome I'm absolutely loving it at the minute so keep it up! If you have any questions about it just go ahead and ask.

Kelsey Joan- I'm sooo jealous! Life does that sometimes doesn't it- highly inconvenient. You're commin to England! You'll love it here…its very…British lol. thank you foe saying so- Eleni's funeral took me so many re-writes so I'm really glad you liked it. Thanks

NessaThranduiliel- Ness, I promised nothing p. I've noticed, well here you g- let me kow what you think. Hugs

Petra- how many names do you go by! that's because it is! And maybe it has, I'm not sure yet. No no he won't turn eveil- I just couldn't do that.

Mortal Evenstar- Hiya maeg. I knw- but it had to be done. No it isn't is it- but he's trying bless him. Will do! Sees ya later x

Thalia and Legolas stood before the great gathering of elves. The halls glittered in green and gold with banners of the King and battles of ages. Long tables stood laden with food and drink and the musicians stood playing a soft tune that carried through the air almost undetectable but firmly hanging there. Lords and Ladies stood dressed in finery of greens, blues, whites, and gold's. Many golden haired elves stood along with few brunettes anda few of the colour of leaves in autumn.

Lord Elrond stood beside Lord Glorfindel who stood opposite King Thranduil and his Queen. But opting to stay with his grandparent a sulky Niall stood holding the hand of his grandmother.

Thalia and Legolas stood at the forefront of the crowd, Legolas stood wearing a long robe of deep green and Thalia stood in a long gown of the same colour, circlets of their status on the foreheads. Holding the newest royal in his arms Legolas stepped forward.

"My friends, we have been through much and we have defeated many. Together we can continue to build and learn but we can only do this through patience and understanding. I wish to thank you all for everything that you have done. You have supported and held my family when we were suffering and you deserve our faith. I realize that nothing that I can say will bring back those who havepassed but I sincerely hope that you know of our gratitude"

smiles graced the faces of the gathering as their solemn prince held out his youngest child.

"This is the newest arrival to the forest of Greenleaves and we ask that you embrace him so that he too can grow and learn as all our children do. We give him to you as a prince and a future. And for that we name him Lynden"

applause rang throughout the room and the musicians struck up a quiet but merry tune behind the King and Queen.

Stepping forward Thalia brushed her husbands arm as she made her way down the small steps and towards her son. He looked at her approaching figure with a look of distaste but she ignored it and continued on her path as the gathering dispersed to take their seats.

Eloria looked at her granddaughter with an expression of sadness. She herself had known the feelings of depression after having Legolas, it had been she who had reassured her son that what Thalia was going through was natural and with a little support she would come through it, after all she had been through much more and was still alive. But the queen worried for her relationship with her son. Niall was only small and although he was an intelligent child he did not understand what was going on, this mixed with Thalia's unknowing detachment had injured him into anger and bitterness.

Kneeling before him on the polished stone floor Thalia looked at him.

"You look very nice honey"

he looked at her, wearing his favourite blue velvet tunic and grey breeches and knee high boots that marched his fathers he did indeed look like the prince he was. But he didn't want his mother to say so. It was not her place anymore. It was his grandmothers. The night before as he had lain in bed he had whispered to his stuffed wolf his plans to get away from his mother. He was sad about his adar. He loved his adar very much and he would miss him.

taking Niall's dismissal in step Thalia tried once again.

"Niall I am so sorry my prince. I know that I haven't been a good mummy but I'll try harder I promise. I love you so much"

Niall's eyes watered at the sudden memory of his mother reading to him at night and baking cakes with him and Eleni. He would never forgive her for taking Eleni away and never bringing her back.

Sighing and wiping his nose with the back of his hand he looked at his mother and he asked her the question that he had been wanting to ask her ever since she had come back.

"Why did you leave and not bring her back? Why did she die but not you?"

Thalia sat back on her knees she had expected him to ask her this, but how did she answer the question of such a young elfling, and her son nonetheless. Holding out her hand she silently asked him to go with her. hesitating slightly Niall looked at his grandmother who nodded at him.

Ignoring her hand he walked by her and into the room that stood behind a large banner that normally was used for private delegation or for playing hide and seek.

Legolas watched from his place with Glorfindel as his wife cast one last look at him before disappearing behind a curtain of golden fabric. The noise of the room was tolerable but still he wished that he was alone.Buthe knew that this was the last time for years to come that he would be in the company of his father and his people. Looking around he felt sorrowful at their imminent departure and it was made worse as many elves approached him to see Lynden. They gave their congratulations and their best wishes, and their disappointment at their leaving.

On the other side of the banner Thalia and Niall sat in silence, both weighing each other up.

"I planned nothing Niall. I tried to look after her, really I did and I know that that you think I sat back and watched I didn't"

He looked at her with and naked expression of hurt. Her answer was not what he wished to hear.

"Tell me what happened mummy"

her heart leapt into her throat and for a moment she cast her eyes onto the grey wall opposite, absorbing the stone and letting the cool air around her sink into her senses.

"We were separated. Do you remember, you were both with your nanny and I was working. I heard the fighting in the grounds and I panicked. I knew I had to find you both. So I ran down to the caves where I knew you would both be. But on the way down I ran into her, she told me you'd been separated. It wasn't anybody's fault"

Niall turned his head and laid back against the chair that stood behind him, drawing his legs up to his chest.

"Its all my fault. I let her go"

Thalia shook her head,

"No it isn't"

he looked at her,

"You don't know that. I let her go, she knew that you'd come after us and I let her go. She whispered something to me but I don't remember what she said and then she crawled under everybody and got out"

"Niall…it was not your fault"

he stood up, rage and shame burning in his eyes.

"Don't you see you stupid woman, if it wasn't for me they would have just taken you and killed you. but instead they took her too and they killed her. It should have just been you!"

he whispered, his voice dripping with venom, but one small detail remained to be spoken about.

"Do you remember the scar, the mark?"

Niall started, not sure what to say. He sat back down and gazed at his mother, wary of any trucks. But Thalia held herself together and kept her emotions in check using the techniques that Celebrian had once painstakingly taught her.

"The mark was a spider bite, I didn't understand, I still don't but when they took me and 'Leni her scar was like a magical beacon. I'm not sure how or why but it lured them to us, making sure that we couldn't escape. They would have gotten her anyway. I don't know why they wanted her, maybe it was just a coincidence. Its all so confusing. I never got chance to ask why"

"Why did you say that if you don't know what it was?"

she shruggedher shoulders

"I don't know"

Niall snorted and shook his head as he gazed down at his small hands

"Daddy is sad because you cut yourself, you did didn't you. You always do it. I know mummy"

She ducked her head in embarrassment but nodded. Her son, her 120 year son knew things that he shouldn't. He had had to deal with this all by himself, due to her neglect.

"I didn't mean to leave you Niall"

"You said that. But I don't think I believe you mummy. Daddy never left me. He said you wereill and didn't know what you were doing"

She nodded, the movement almost imperceptible. Not knowing what to say Thalia let the silence in the air shroud them.

"I remember the day that I found out I was pregnant with you. I'd had no idea it was you adar that told me. I was so excited and I couldn't wait to hold you in my arms, both of you. But most of all I was so scared that I'd make a mess of everything. And this is my payback hmm"

sitting back against the wall she ignored the feel of a misplaced stone that dug into her back and focused on the chairs that sat arranged in a neat circle. The mahogany coloured wood shining clearly and the painted decorations on the backs making a subtle impression. The emblem of the king on the wall behind Thranduil's chair struck her ion the face and for a second she regret everything she had ever done. If only she had know then what she knew now.

"Please come with us"

She whispered, looking back she could never believe that she was having that conversation with her child, her 120 year old child who had a curfew and slept with a stuffed wolf. But he understood what she talking about. Already his IQ had reached that of a thirteen year old, a disturbing aspect of elvish children or so Thalia thought. Niall cocked his head as if considering his words and as he looked at his mother he saw the lady she had been before.

He bit hip lip and shook his head,

"Staying here. But I'll come visit I promise"

Withholding her tears she smiled at him and held out her arms,

"Can I at least have a hug?"

Nodding he stood from his place and knelt before her. his blue eyes locked on hers and leaning forward he hugged her tightly.

"I don't like you mummy, but I still love you"

Kissing his cheek she held him tight to his chest, letting the world around her melt into nothingness and the sounds of the celebrations disappear.

Little did they know that that was the last conversation that they would hold for over an age.