Thank you SO much for all the reviews I've recieved :-D. I really appreciate them, so please leave one more as the story ends.

In the mean time, I hope the ending doesn't disappoint


CHAPTER 7 - RETURN

It was two weeks since Aragorn's coronation and, while Legolas was thrilled to see his friend assume his rightful place on the throne of Gondor, his thoughts were now almost constantly directed towards Mirkwood. Sitting in the gardens of Aragorn's palace, Legolas chewed his lip despondently, deep in thought.

Now that there was no more danger to distract him, the young elf was beginning to feel very guilty indeed. He did not, of course, regret pledging his aid to the Fellowship of the Ring, but only now did he begin to realise the worry he must have caused his Ada and his brothers, as he had sent no word to them since the letter he had written before he left Rivendell.

He flushed darkly, remembering the exchange in the courtyard of his home more than a year ago:

"We are only bidding farewell to our little brother, Ada! And reminding him of how much we love him!"

"Ion-nin, I will worry about you every day until you return. You are a capable warrior, but you will always be my Dian Las."

"It would break my heart if I lost you."

"Let me warn you, if you return with as much as a scratch, you won't sit for a week!"

"I'll just deliver the message and return. I'll be back before you know it!"

"Ai!" muttered Legolas. "I broke my word. How I must have made you worry!"

"Such a forlorn look has no place upon the face of an elfling!" said a soft voice, startling him suddenly. "Not even one who has seen as much as you."

"My lord." Legolas began to get to his feet, but Elrond put a hand on his shoulder and pushed him back down again.

"Stay put, young Greenleaf." the Lord of Imladris told him gently. "I would have thought you would know by now that there is no need for formality with me pen-neth."

Legolas raised a weak smile. True, he had been around Elrond since he was no more than a babe; the Lord being his Ada's dearest friend. Elrond was like an uncle to him, but the young prince was always moved to awe by the wisdom and splendour that Elrond radiated.

"Now tell me what troubles you so." said Elrond firmly, looking into Legolas's guilt-ridden blue eyes.

"I…I just acted." Legolas said quietly. "I don't regret it, that's not what I mean…I would do it again. I couldn't let Estel go into danger without me! But now…I realise the anxiety I must have caused Ada and my brothers. I promised I would return straight after the council and I did not keep my word! They worry about me all the time. I can take care of myself just fine, but I know they will have worried even more about what was happening to me."

"I'm sure your Ada will not be angry with you for your decision." said Elrond reassuringly. "He will be proud of your courage and your loyalty."

"I know that. But now I want to let him know I'm alright – I should not have caused him worry. I'm glad to see Estel take his rightful place and I would like to remain by his side, but I think I'm going to have to journey to Mirkwood very soon, Elrond. I just want to see my Ada."

Elrond suppressed a grin as he put an arm around Legolas's shoulder; remembering how young this courageous warrior really was, and how easy it was to forget it. In the eyes of most of the Eldar, Legolas was still little more than an elfling. Elrond's eyes twinkled at the sound of the somewhat child-like last sentence.

"Worry not, Legolas." he told him comfortingly. "Estel already senses your desire to journey homeward. He has arranged for the twins to bring a missive to your Ada and Celeborn, who is also in Mirkwood at the moment. You and I shall be accompanying them. He considered sending Gimli with us too, but decided against it."

Legolas suddenly imagined having to introduce Gimli to Aranwë, who was likely going to have a lot to say about his little brother's decision to accompany the Fellowship anyway, without having to contend with a dwarf.

"Estel is very wise!" said Legolas fervently.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

"We should make camp here tonight." said Elladan, leaping down from his horse. "We will reach the palace tomorrow."

"A good suggestion, gwador-nin." agreed Elrohir, as he and Elrond dismounted. "I have had my fill of riding this day, and I do not want to come before Daerada and King Thranduil half asleep."

Legolas hesitated impatiently, several thoughts flying through his mind. He was eager to get home now. Riding among the familiar trees had soothed his heart and he didn't want to wait any longer.

"May I have your permission to ride on ahead?" he pleaded. "It's not dark yet and I know these paths blindfolded. I will be swift."

Elrond smiled indulgently, knowing that Legolas likely would not want the twins there when he was reunited with his father and brothers. Warrior pride did not want to be bruised.

"All right, young one. Of you go then, and for Valar's sake stay out of trouble or else your Ada will have my ears!"

"I will!" Legolas flashed the three a radiant grin and vanished among the trees.

He rode undisturbed for perhaps forty minutes, but as he reached the perimeter of the palace, he was knocked from his horse with an alarming force and pinned to the ground with considerable strength.

"Lie still, stranger!" hissed a menacing, all-too-familiar voice in his ear and Legolas cursed himself for not removing his hood.

"Adrahil…gwador...it's me…Legolas!" he gasped out, struggling against his eldest brother's solid weight. "Please…get off me!"

"Legolas!" Adrahil leapt off the cloaked figure and spun him round to face him. Upon seeing his little brother's sheepish grin Adrahil was torn between the urge to either hurl Legolas over his knee and give him the hiding of a lifetime or hug the air the from the young elf's lungs. He settled for the latter.

"Adrahil, it is wonderful to see you, but I can't breathe!" groaned Legolas, still on the ground. Adrahil let go of his brother for only a second to pull him to his feet, and then threw his arms around him again.

"Oh gwador laes!" he sighed, stroking Legolas's hair. "You had us worried little one!"

"I'm sorry!" came Legolas's muffled reply, his face buried in Adrahil's shoulder and his arms tightly around his brother.

"Ada has been beside himself!" Adrahil reproached, crushing Legolas against his chest.

"I didn't want to worry him!" Legolas's eyes began to fill with tears.

"Ssssh, I know." soothed Adrahil, pressing a kiss to Legolas's crown. "I missed you."

"I missed you all!" whispered Legolas, clinging to his brother like an elfling. "I have so much to tell you!"

"I can believe that!" smiled Adrahil. "But for now, let's get you home."

Legolas smiled and walked off, Adrahil's arm still tight about his shoulders. They made their way to the palace in record time, while Legolas briefly described their quest, and proceeded straight to Thranduil's study.

"Ada!" Adrahil knocked. "Are you busy?"

"Not at the moment, Adrahil." called Thranduil from within. "Come in."

"Go on." whispered Adrahil to Legolas, giving him a propelling pat. "I will go and fetch the others."

Nervously, Legolas opened the door. In the small, lamp-lit room, he found his father sitting with his back to him, gazing solemnly into the fire.

"What is on your mind, ion-nin?" he asked softly and Legolas swallowed, forcing himself not to run forward and throw his arms around the Elvenking.

"Hello Ada." he said, watching nervously as Thranduil's shoulders went tense and he spun round to face him, his eyes overly bright as he got to his feet.

"Legolas!" was all that Thranduil managed to gasp before his youngest son ran to hug him with such force that he almost knocked him over. "Valar, I wondered if I would ever see you again!"

The emotion and love in his father's voice was too much for Legolas, already oppressed with an intolerable sense of guilt, and suddenly he began to sob. Thranduil held him tighter, stroking his hair and silently praising the Valar for letting his little one return home.

"Oh, Legolas." his whispered, rubbing his back. "I was so afraid I'd lost you!"

"Ada, I'm so sorry!" Legolas wept in reply. "I…I didn't mean to worry you! But I could not let Estel risk his life without me to watch his back! I had to do it and…"

"Ssssh." Thranduil gently halted his son's rambling. "You have nothing to be sorry for! I'm so proud of you. You followed your heart to great deeds, and now you're back safe and sound. That is all I am caring about."

"Amin mela lle, Ada." Legolas sobbed, as Thranduil began to rock him.

"Amin mela lle, Legolas." Thranduil blinked back his own tears, forcing himself to swallow the hundreds of questions that he wanted to throw at his son. Obviously they had succeeded, his son's presence was a clear indication of that, but he wanted to ask about Mithrandir, the Halflings, where the quest had taken them and so much more…but for now he was just content to hold the child he thought he'd lost.

Suddenly, the door burst open and something hit Legolas in the back. Looking round, he realised that it was Daeron, who had wrapped his arms around him from behind.

"I am glad to see you well, gwador laes!" grinned Daeron, pulling Legolas from Thranduil's embrace and ruffling his hair teasingly. "Even if you do smell like a human!"

"And this must be a first!" laughed Saeros, embracing him tightly. "Not a scratch on him!"

"We've missed you!" said Lindon quietly, wrapping an affectionate arm around his shoulders. "You had us worried."

"I missed you all so much!" Legolas's voice quavered again. "I never wanted to worry you. I just acted!"

"We know." Adrahil hushed him. Legolas opened his mouth to speak again, but nothing came out as he met Aranwë's turbulent eyes. He gave a shaky smile.

"I'm glad you're back." was all Aranwë said, before pulling Legolas into an embrace so fierce that it knocked the breath clean out of him. Then the older elf pulled back and looked at his little brother with relief, happiness and anger all vying for dominance in his eyes. "But let me warn you, gwador laes, if you even so much as think about leaving Mirkwood for the next century…"

"We will tie you to a chair..." cut in Daeron.

"Lock you in your room…" continued Adrahil.

"Throw away the key…" smiled Saeros

"And guard you day and night!" finished Lindon. Legolas smiled, realising how much he had missed being teased by his brothers, and how he'd missed the way they could weave in and out of a conversation. He knew that he would never again complain that it was irritating.

A knock at the door announced the arrival of Celeborn and Haldir, much to Legolas's surprise. He looked questioningly at Thranduil, who embraced him again, and smiled.

"I shall explain soon, ion-nin." he said softly, before something clicked in Legolas's mind.

"Ah! Elrond said that Lord Celeborn was here. He and the twins are camped in the forest with a missive from Estel. They should be here tomorrow morning." Legolas explained.

"I will have Valien and his men escort them, Ada." said Saeros at once, as he vanished from the room.

"I am glad to see you safe, little Greenleaf." smiled Celeborn, knowing how worried his younger cousin had been for his son's safety. "How fare you."

"Very well, thank you hir-nin." answered Legolas politely, a huge smile on his face despite his red eyes. "I am very glad to be home."

"I am glad to have you home, Dian Las." said Thranduil happily, tightening his arm around his son's shoulders. "But for now, I think you owe us a story."

"It may take a while." warned Legolas, thinking of all he had seen over the past year.

"That's all right, gwador laes. We have plenty of time." said Adrahil, pointing to the low, comfy couch. "Sit down."

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

"Thranduil!" exclaimed Elrond happily the next morning, clasping arms with the Elvenking. "It is good to see you again, mellon nin."

"I am glad you got here safely, Elrond." said Thranduil, with a grin Elrond had not seen in years. "It has been far too long, my friend."

"I trust Legolas arrived safely last night." asked the lord of Imladris. "He was very keen to get here as soon as he could."

"Aye, my youngest was returned to me last night." replied Thranduil happily. "And now I can sleep easy once more."

"I would not count on that, my friend." laughed Elrond, with a rather mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "You do realise, that we have just united Elladan, Elrohir and Daeron under one roof." Thranduil's widened for a moment, and then he began to laugh.

"Valar protect us all!" he exclaimed. "But I do not believe Daeron is in a position to cause trouble at the moment."

"Why not?" asked Elrond in surprise. Daeron was like the twins; generally trouble followed wherever he went. Thranduil just smiled and beckoned Elrond to follow.

He led his friend to the royal wing and quietly opened the door to the room Elrond recognised as belonging to Legolas. The Elf Lord followed him inside and smiled at the sight which met his eyes.

Legolas was lying sound asleep in the centre of his large bed, with Aranwë and Saeros on either side of him, with their arms wrapped around him. Lindon lay on Aranwë's other side and Daeron lay on the other side of Saeros, both hugging their brothers tightly, their eyes glazed with sleep. Adrahil lay next to Daeron, his head resting against his younger brother's shoulder.

It was scene of pure innocence and love, after all the dark times they had all experienced. It gave both elven lords hope in seeing it, for it showed there was still something worth living for in Middle Earth after all.

"It eases my heart to have my youngest back." confessed Thranduil.

"Indeed mellon-nin, I have seldom seen you so relaxed and carefree." said Elrond, thinking of Thranduil's tendency to overwork himself.

"The shadow evaporates steadily from the borders as I speak. All six of my children are safe and unhurt and I know exactly where they are. As a father, I couldn't ask for more."

And Elrond, looking at the six young elves asleep on the bed, couldn't agree more.

The End


By the way, I am about to start a new fic and was wondering: how do you say 'daughter of' in Elvish. I know that son of Elrond is Elrondion, but howwould you say daughter of elrond? If anyone knows, I would be very grateful if you'd tell me.