Thanks for all the reviews. (grins at you all gratefully)

elinorlynne - Glad you liked the start. Hopefully this doesn't disappoint.

ELVESRULE - Thanks for pointing that out. I'll remember it in future. Sorry chapter 2 has taken so long - i've been busy with prelim exams and Les Miz fics.

Yemi Hikari – Yeh, I hate fics where Thranduil is evil too. I think he's cool and I doubt that Legolas would be such a serene and clam character if his father was as bad as some people think.

IwishSan – Having five brothers certainly would be scary! But they love him, so I suppose that makes it more bearable lol.

Inwe Nolatari – Don't worry, I promise I will finish it now I've started. I'm glad you like it.


CHAPTER 2 – ABSENCE

"He's done what?" shouted Aranwë in fury, leaping to his feet, while his brothers gaped at Thranduil in shock, as they sat around a large oak table in the dining room one morning, several weeks after Legolas's departure.

"He has pledged his bow to the service of a hobbit and gone to assist on the quest to destroy the One Ring." repeated Thranduil quietly, not looking up from the letter he had received from his youngest son that morning.

"This is a joke, right?" asked Lindon nervously, looking round at everyone else in the hope of seeing them laughing. "This is one of his practical jokes. You're in on it, aren't you Ada? He returned this morning and he's going to jump out any minute now, isn't he?"

"I'm afraid not, ion-nin." said Thranduil sadly, laying the letter down on the table. The Elvenking's clear blue eyes were full of worry as he regarded his five elder sons; all dressed richly in green in brown, all with blond hair and blue eyes. "This is no joke – though I wish by the Valar it were! Elrond has sent a letter too, explaining the decision of the Council at Imladris. You're brother has become one of the Nine Walkers."

"But he's a child!" shouted Aranwë, his fists clenched. "Ada, you can't let him do it! Someone's got to stop him!"

"There's no chance of that now, gwador nin." said Adrahil, who had read the letter over his father's shoulder. "They departed Imladris two weeks ago. They're heading for the Misty Mountains and whither from there we do not know. We would have no chance of encountering them."

"I'm the swiftest rider in Mirkwood!" Daeron looked up suddenly. "I could over take them in a week and bring him back!" Daeron was renowned in all the elven kingdoms for his remarkable horsemanship.

"That somewhat eliminates the hopes of secrecy and inconspicuousness, does it not?" asked Adrahil sarcastically. "You are swift, brother, but hardly discreet."

"And do you really believe Legolas would thank you for trailing after him to the Misty Mountains and scolding him before his companions, before dragging him away?" asked Thranduil softly. "He would never forgive you for that, Daeron. And I realise that you are unhappy with his decision, Aranwë; so am I, but there is nothing we can do. We must pray to the Valar that he will return safely."

"Who is going with him, Ada?" asked Saeros gravely. Up till now, he hadn't said a word, and his face was deadly serious, the usual merriness gone from his eyes. He was not able to feel the anger that Aranwë and Daeron felt at that moment. All he could feel was a body-numbing terror that he might never see his little brother again.

"Estel, Mithrandir, the Steward of Gondor's son, several hobbits and a dwarf." said Thranduil, the tone of his voice making his disapproval of the dwarf very clear.

Aranwë, who had just sat down, leapt to his feet again.

"Estel?" he cried scornfully. "That foolish young ranger? Don't you remember the trouble the two of them got into the last time Elrond and his sons visited? They ended up locking themselves in the dungeons for two days by accident! And much as I respect Mithrandir, Ada, his presence is a guarantee that they will meet with trouble!"

"Enough Aranwë!" said Lindon sharply. "Do not speak of Mithrandir in that way! You are not..."

"Don't you realise what might happen to our little brother?" Aranwë roared, rounding on Lindon, while Daeron glared at Adrahil. "Did what happened to our mother teach you nothing? Are you so dense that you cannot see it? He might never come back, do you realise that Lindon? He might never come back!"

Aranwë's voice cracked as his eyes filled with tears. He turned sharply away, while Saeros put his arm around a startled Lindon, who had looked hurt at his brother's outburst.

Thranduil swallowed the lump in his throat and rose to put his hand on Aranwë's shoulder. Thinking of his wife's death was painful enough without having to think that his son might meet the same fate.

"Calm down, penneth." he said gently. "Remember; he might be the baby of the family, but Legolas is more than capable of defending himself. He is swift of foot and he is one of the most gifted archers in the kingdom."

"I know Ada." said Aranwë desolately. "But it's just, since Nana died…"

"We've all wanted to protect him from any further harm." finished Thranduil knowingly. "But we cannot keep him tied here forever. He is too free spirited for that. His heart bids him to journey forth with the Fellowship that Elrond has chosen. We must accept his decision and let him follow his heart."

"And anyway," continued Saeros, rising to his feet. "The hobbit will be better protected if Legolas's sharp eyes and meticulous aim are watching over him. They will stand a better chance if he is by their side."

"Well said, tithen gwador." smiled Adrahil, pulling Saeros to his feet. "Now come on, I promised Iolwin we'd help him with his students today. Ada, we'll be in the training grounds if you need us." Iolwin was the Arms Master and Thranduil's closest friend.

"All right. On you go." said Thranduil, as Saeros and Adrahil rushed out of the room.

"I'm going to go for a walk!" said Aranwë abruptly. "I'll be back for dinner."

"Aranwë!" called Thranduil, but his son had stormed out of the room.

"I'll follow him Ada." promised Daeron, running after his brother. "I'll make sure he doesn't murder anyone!" And in a flash, Daeron was gone too.

"Would you like me to leave, Ada?" asked Lindon quietly, looking up at Thranduil with solemn eyes that were so like his mother's.

"Not at all, Lindon." Thranduil smiled, holding out his hand to his son. Lindon came to his father's side and smiled softly as Thranduil put his arm around him.

"I think he will be fine, Ada." he said. "He is too quick for the goblins and too smart for the orcs. He'll be home soon enough and bragging about his escapades."

"I hope so, ion-nin." said Thranduil heavily. "I hope so."

Oh Valar! he prayed silently. Look after my little one. We'll never survive without him. Let him return to us! Let him return!


As before, I'd love to know what you think:-D