Author's note ; Hi everyone ! Sorry, sorry about the big hold up, real life had me in tangles. It's exam time and I've had a gazillion tests to correct and reports to write ! Roll on the Summer Holidays ! As previously promised Thranduil's and Legolas' conversation continues in this chapter. Guilt has prompted me to post what I have written so far even though I think part of the conversation will most likely spill into the next chapter. Hope you all enjoy it and please keep those reviews coming !

PS: Happy St.Patrick's Day to everyone from the Land of Eternal Rain !

Chapter Seventeen ; An Understanding Part 2

Father and son sat together peacefully having slipped into a comfortable silence, each one simply content to be in one another's company for the present as they both sipped the rich elven wine.

Thranduil looked on as the glow from the flickering flames danced across his son's pale, handsome face. In the eerie amber light he could detect faint shadows under the young elf's expressive eyes.

It would seem that his son had not been sleeping well and the King suspected it had something to do with whatever the Prince was bottling up inside him.

At a glance the young elf appeared relaxed and at peace but Thranduil knew his child better than that. He could tell that his own eventual acceptance of the Prince's unconventional friendship with the dwarf had done much to ease his son but there were other matters troubling the elf, matters which it would seem he was unwilling to share. And so the King decided to ask, sometimes, not always, but sometimes the direct approach worked when dealing with the stubborn youth.

"Something troubles you my child and I would have you share it with me so that I may help you", the King offered softly.

Legolas' eyes glanced at his concerned father then quickly returned to the dancing flames lest they give him away.

"Nay Ada……all is well….my heart has been lightened now that you are willing to accept my friendship with Gimli…….it will be interesting to see what Glóin makes of our companionship" the Prince replied as casually as possible.

Thranduil's gaze narrowed as he spotted his son's commendable attempt at changing the subject away from the matter at hand. He had thought that by bringing up Glóin he could detract his father.

It will not be that easy my son, the King thought to himself and so he ignored the baited comment and merely nodded sagely at his son before varying his approach and laying some bait of his own.

"I know this Legolas but you cannot fool me my son, there are other matters weighing heavily upon you and I am unsure as to why you are unwilling to share them with me…..", he admitted sadly, while glancing at his son, then he sighed heavily and also looked to the comforting flames as he continued, "…..I wonder if it is that you do not feel I can offer you advice on these worries, have my skills as a father diminished with time ?"

Shocked by his father's question, Legolas once again looked to his father and shook his head vehemently.

"Nay Ada, that is not the reason for my silence, you are all the father I could ever need and want…….I just do not know how to…", the Prince suddenly stopped.

The bait had been taken and swallowed whole and Legolas suddenly realised his error as he caught the ghost of a smug smile on his father's face.

"You did that on purpose", the Prince accused, as playful suspicion deepened his voice.

But the King merely raised a single elegant eyebrow and with a casual wave of his right hand he spoke, "I know naught of what you speak Little Leaf" he replied as innocently as possible, "but I do believe that you were about to tell me something very important."

The Prince relented and released a defeated sigh, there was little point in trying to fool his father any further.

In truth there were many things troubling him, concerns that lingered in his conscious thoughts by day and plagued his waking dreams and sleep by night.

Concerns which he was presently reluctant to mention to his father, though he knew he would have to discuss some of them 'er he left for Erebor, but where to start ? That was another problem and more importantly, how would his father react to his revelations ?

Thranduil watched his son's inner struggle play across his face, there was confusion, concern and there were doubts. He decided to offer the elf some encouragement.

"Legolas", he called softly.

The Prince's eyes once again returned to his father's deep gaze, where they were held in place by the intensity of the love and pride they witnessed.

The King smiled warmly then continued to speak.

"You have offered me much comfort my son and you have guided my heart to the path of recovery, allow me now to return the favour……..I know you harbour matters which trouble you and I sense you fear how I shall react……but know this my son..…I love you and no matter what, I shall always love you, you are my own flesh and blood, you are all that I have in this world and I would gladly give my life for thee. I am so proud of you Legolas, what you have done for this world is a debt which can never be repaid. You have been a loyal Prince of Eryn Lasgalen since you first drew breath, your courage and skills as a warrior are exemplary……..

It was then that the King spotted a fleeting shadow, a whisp of shame flash in his son's eyes.

"Legolas, surely you do not doubt your loyalty to these lands or your prowess as a warrior ?" the King asked, somewhat confused.

He was answered by silence.

"Legolas ?", he enquired gently once more.

"Ada I…..I was not always strong on the quest", the young Prince almost whispered, as if admitting to some terrible deed.

"Tell me my child, you have naught to be ashamed of", the King encouraged.

"There was a time when my courage failed me………in the Mines of Moria", the Prince explained, feeling the ghost of a shiver run down his spine at the memory of such a dark and dead place, " …when we faced the Balrog of Morgoth……I was afraid, I felt a fear I had never known before, it froze my very breath and stole my skill with the bow…….I lowered my aim Ada, I heard the arrow as it fell to the ground", the young elf dropped his eyes in shame.

Thranduil inhaled deeply then softly sighed with compassion, feeling his son's distress. He rose gracefully from his seat and placed his wine glass on the fire's stone mantle, he then moved towards the young elf, where he hunched down before his son, he took the Prince's glass and placed it on the thick rug at his feet then he tenderly took his child's trembling hands in his own.

"Look at me Legolas", he asked of his heir.

The Prince hesitantly complied.

"There is not a warrior alive this day that has not felt the sting of fear at some time in his or her life, be it in battle or every day life. A parent may fear for their child, a Captain may fear for their patrol, a King can fear for his people…"

"I doubt you have known fear in battle Ada," the Prince stated, " your skills are unmatched."

The King allowed a slightly bitter chuckle to escape his lips.

"Would that that were true my son…...when I saw my own father fall in Dagorlad, I thought that all was lost, I feared we would never see home again and that the shadow would win………and then Gil-galad was cut down by Sauron," the King shook his head, "those were fearful times Legolas……. but it is how we deal with that fear that counts and you dealt with yours most honourably, you did not allow it to over come you, you did not abandon the quest nor your friends and that is what matters", Thranduil consoled, then added lightly, "besides this was no warg or spider you faced, it was a Balrog Legolas and while I would never fault your aim, I do not believe even your arrows would have made much of an impact !"

The Prince smiled faintly but as yet the weak humour was not mirrored in his eyes.

"I thank you for your kind words Ada, they mean much to me and I am pleased that you understand my reasons for going on the quest and that you approved of my decision to go, though I know it was difficult for you."

Thranduil raised one slightly perplexed eyebrow, then realisation dawned.

"Sindadur ?", he asked with mock exasperation.

"Sindadur", Legolas nodded, confirming that it was the seasoned Captain who had revealed the King's 'difficulties'.

The Prince continued.

"But I must also confess that when I saw the destruction of our beloved forests and learned of our grievous losses, I began to question my decision to go, I felt as though I had let down our home……and my friends."

Thranduil released his son's hands and retrieved his almost empty glass. Raising effortlessly, he moved to the wine cabinet and refilled the delicate glass, watching as the deep burgundy liquid swirled around inside, invisible tendrils of cinnamon and berries invaded his nose and flooded his senses.

He returned to the Prince's chair and offered him the freshly filled glass.

"Hannon le", he replied in thanks and drank deeply of the wine.

Thranduil stood in front of the soothing fire and retrieved his own glass, then turned to face his son.

"I know you lost many of your friends Legolas and I know Galadon was amongst the fallen, we suffered greatly, as did our precious trees but you must never feel in your heart that you have failed us. Your decision to journey with the ring bearer was the right one, I believe now that it was your destiny", the King admitted.

Legolas was listening intently to his father's every word and he pondered on what had been said.

"Do not dwell on one fleeting moment of weakness Legolas, instead look to the many times when I am sure you saved the lives of each member of the Fellowship as well as countless others and do not tell me that it was not so, for I know you my son and I know you would have gladly laid down your own immortal life to save those whom you travelled with, such is the depth of your sense of duty. You have always judged yourself too harshly Little Leaf, there is not a single elf in Eryn Lasgalen who does not feel a burning sense of pride at your accomplishments……..you have represented your Kingdom with honour, bravery and dignity, there are none here who fault you, so do not fault yourself", the King cautioned with earnest.

Relief washed over the younger elf like a cleansing tide, washing away many of the doubts he had secretly harboured inside. He rose quickly, placed his own glass on the huge mantle and embraced his father in a hold which was fiercely reciprocated. Silver tears welled up in azure eyes as father and son shared a precious moment filled with love, understanding and utter acceptance.

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Review responses ;

Jebb ; Whew! Glad you liked it, wasn't sure if I made it all a bit too muishy. Many, many thanks once more for the positive comments, they put a silly smile on my face and hey , you're my 50th reviewer, I know other authors get hundreds but for me even 50 is a bit of a milestone ! To be honest I hadn't planned on writing a piece between Thranduil and Gwaithwen but since you brought it up it seems like a great idea so when I do get to writing it, know that it was because of your suggestion – many thanks !

Daw the minstrel ; Greetings! So happy you liked the oak and acorn piece (it was one of my fav bits), I was thinking of my own father when I wrote it, everyone says I'm a chip off the old block and I was looking for a more 'elvish' way to express that same sentiment and the oak and acorn came to mind. Legolas is healing from a personal grief but it not the death of his mother...all will be revealed soon...dun, dun, duuuuuuuunnnnnnn!

Kelsey Estel ; Hi there, thanks again for the review and compliments, it can be hard work – at least for me it is, making sure everyone is as close to being 'in-character' as possible, so I really appreciate it. Oh there's a death alright, no it's not his mother, yep she died at his birth...a brother ? you ask...Hmmmm, maybe, maybe not (evil snigger) kep reading to find out !

Alatariel Narmolanya ; Yeay! You like, I guess I can uncross my fingers now and do a wee Hobbit dance HeeHee, don't even try to visualise that, it wouldn't be pretty – snigger! Thanks for the compliment about the descriptions, don't be afraid to let me know if I start to go a bit overboard with them, trying to keep a happy medium and all that ! (BTWcan you tell me what your name means ? I always have to look it up, I never remember how to spell it !)

Dragonfaeriex ; Big Hello! And thanks for reviewing. Glad you like Gwaithwen, even if she does make you squel! - is that a good thing ! You know after reading your review I had this image of poor Gimli being slowly roasted over a fire surroundedby a bunch of dancing, crazed Ewoks!

messenger of the Elvenking ; Hi there! Great you enjoyed it ! Got to keep the Thranduil fans happy! Heehee. Yes that poor elf's had it bad, he needs all the hugs he can get and I know he'll never be short of volunteers !

the return of merry ; hi! Thanks for reading and reviewing – not sure you've reached up to chp.17 yet but I hope you are enjoying the story so far.

Marnie ; Hi! Oh the guilt, the shame – so sorry your first review had to be a plea for an update but you did prompt me into writing this chapter a lot quicker than I probably had planned. Ofcourse you do realise I now know you exist (evil snigger). Look into my red glowing eyes "You must review, you must review!" - don't make me release my ninja bunny rabbits, they know no fear!