A/N: Happy Sunday! Here's another chapter for you! Also, I can't believe this story has over 100 kudos! Thank you so much! I'm so glad y'all are enjoying it!

Chapter Twenty-One

Agreement

As agreed upon, we journeyed back to Erebor at first light. All four of us filled with equal parts relief and exhaustion, none more so than Maggie and Eira. Once, when Legolas an elfling, he too wandered and got himself lost in Mirkwood, without knowing of its dangers and how it affects the mind. The strong curse on the woods affects even the minds of young elves who have not long been part of this world. For two days Legolas walked in a mist of hallucination and confusion, until he found himself in a part of the woods where not even I had previously ventured. We searched for him without any luck and I recall being filled with despair at the thought of losing my son, shortly after losing his mother. Eventually, we found Legolas curled up on the ground against a large tree-trunk. Frightened, naturally and cold. For a long time afterwards, he was frightened of the woods and dared not explore it alone. I empathised with Maggie and knew what she felt at the thought of losing Eira.

"Adad!" Eira cried out "Mummy found me!"

Eira practically jumped into Fili's arms and grabbed him tightly. A few seconds later, she sobbed into her father's shoulder and I saw tears streaming down Fili's eyes as well. Many people are under the impressions that dwarves are tough creatures, who do not care for others and only themselves. This is far from true and dwarves care greatly for those of their kin, especially children.

"I am so glad you have been found, gimlelul." Fili whispered "I could not stand the thought of losing that which is most precious to me."

Fili wrapped one of his arms around Maggie and the three of them walked down the corridor. Beside me, Millie exhaled an exhausted sigh and I too felt weary.

"You have been hurt." Elrond noticed and saw the scars on Millie's shoulder. "We should see to that."

"Oh, it's nothing."she lied "Just a scrape from some thorns, I'll be fine."

"Nonsense. That will get infected if left untreated.E You should know better. Come, let us see what we can do."

Millie followed Elrond and I decided it was time for a well-earned sit down.

"Adar, may I come in?"

I gestured for Legolas to enter my chamber. As was often the case in Mirkwood, I sat at my desk scribing down words on paper. I knew I needed to write Hallath a letter, explaining that my return would likely be more delayed than anticipated. There was nobody else I trusted with my kingdom more than Hallath and truthfully, being away from Mirkwood had done me good. I had a feeling that this latest misadventure would become an even stronger reason for Fili and Maggie to visit Rivendell, which meant that Millicent would more than likely want to come with them. I could of course return to Mirkwood alone, but I too hadn't seen Rivendell in quite some time and I know Elrond would appreciate it.

"I know that look in your eyes, Legolas Greenleaf." I said "What troubles your mind, ion-nin?"

"Nothing is troubling me," Legolas said "Quite the opposite, in fact."

I turned to Legolas, and shifted my weight in the share.

"You have my attention," I said "What do you mean?"

Legolas silenced for a moment, as though he pondered what to say next. I was well aware that the last time Legolas and I lived under the same roof, having conversations was not always easy. I will admit that I do have a temper and it used to be much worse, but at the time, Legolas also had a temper. Sharp words would turn into loud arguments that sent the squirrels of Mirkwood seeking shelter in the tree-tops. I saw the same apprehension in his eyes, which he always had when he wanted to talk about something I might not like.

"Let us be honest, adar." Legolas began "You have always been very vocal regarding your opinion of dwarves. Now, you're helping them search for a missing child in the middle of the night?"

"What is your point of this interrogation?" I asked, even though I knew full well where Legolas was going. "Can an elvenking not acknowledge the error of his previous ways and seek to mend broken bonds?"

Legolas crossed one leg over the other and leant back in his chair.

"Aye, but this elvenking seldom does things without reason." he said matter-of-factly, as only a son of mine would

"And what reason do you think I have for my change of heart?" I asked "I can tell it's on the tip of your tongue, do not be shy."

Legolas chucked and leaned forward.

"Millicent," he replied "She has changed you. I can see it and so can the rest of us, except it seems yourself."

"Have you been speaking with Maggie and Elrond?" I sighed "They seem to believe that Millicent has been sent by the Valar on some grand quest to soften my heart."

"You do not? Do not be a fool, adar. I can see how your eyes linger on her when you believe nobody else is looking. When she is near, your heart beats faster and truthfully, it has been almost a thousand years since I heard you laugh with genuine joy. Can you truly ignore that her presence has softened you?"

No. I could not, but I would not tell my son. It did, however, became clear to me that Legolas was too perceptive for his own good. I had raised him well.

"Adar, I know that you and I have had our differences and that things have not been the same since Naneth passed, nor since I joined the fellowship." Legolas said "But I do love you and I wish for nothing but your happiness and a chance that you may find love again. I like Millicent a great deal. Not many people would write a letter and send for a son so selflessly. If you ever do pull that stick out of your rear end and decide to court her properly, you have my blessing. That is all I wanted to say."

Legolas left my chambers without saying anything further and I found myself more confused than I had been before.

"You know, if Thorin could see us, he'd be furious to know you're here."

It was late evening when I found Maggie sitting cross-legged on the floor, with a tankard in her hand. Judging by its smell, I could tell it was dwarrow ale and as I sat down next to Maggie, she stretched out her hand and offered me the tankard. Dwarrow ale was usually not to my taste, but it had been a trying few days and so I decided it was exactly what I needed. I washed around the bitter liquid in my mouth before swallowing, recalling exactly why I didn't normally drink it.

"Do you think he does?" I asked carefully "Watch over you, I mean?"

"Yeah, I'd like to think so." Maggie replied. "I come here sometimes when I need to think or when I just need someone to listen. You wouldn't think it, but he was always a great listener."

Maggie stretched out on the floor and exhaled an exhausted sigh. I wanted to ask how Eira was faring, but I also didn't want to overstep. Maggie and I had only just begun to become actual friends and I did not wish for my words to jeopardise that.

"I meant to say thank you, for helping us find Eira." Maggie said "You were right, we couldn't have done it without you. Both Fili and Elrond say that I often react without thinking first and they're right."

"I am only glad we found her." I told her

I took another sip of the ale and passed the tankard to Maggie.

"She's quite smitten with you, my daughter." Maggie chuckled, "I reckon she'd put up a good fight with Millie."

It was true, I knew. The small child had taken a liking to me and always wanted to be in presence whenever she had an opportunity. To my surprise, I did not mind.

"That reminds me, by the way." the young queen continued "I'm sorry for barging in on you and Millie back at Beorn's house. You were in the middle of something and I should have read the room."

"Please, do not apologise." I assured her "Actually, I'm glad you did because there's something I wish to speak with you about."

Maggie's eyebrows furrowed and she pulled herself back up to a sitting position.

"Are you certain you'd not rather speak with Elrond?" she joked "Though, I will admit that sometimes his interests are elsewhere invested."

"You mean to say -" I bega

"That he can be a sly bastard if he wants to? Oh absolutely, Elrond has his secrets, but I love him nonetheless. So, what is you wish to speak about?"

For a moment, I struggled to form the words I wanted to say, even though I knew exactly what they were. I had been thinking about them for a long time and since the conversation with Legolas earlier that day, I knew what must be done. Perhaps, it was indeed rejection I feared, but I also knew in my heart that I had to do what it told me.

"It is my wish to court Millicent," I confessed, "Properly. I no longer want to dance around my desires."

Maggie studied me carefully for a while, as though decided whether or not she believed me and she would be right to.

"Why the change of heart?" she asked "I thought you had no such interest and that you did not believe this prophecy?"

"I am not certain I do, but even I cannot deny that we have been growing closer." I replied "I would like to show her that I care in my own way. Will you help me, Queen Margaret?"

Without hesitation, Maggie nodded.

"I will, hir-nin Thranduil." she agreed "I can tell the two of you have something and I'd like to help."

"Hanta, hantanyel. Truly." I said with relief "Although, please don't tell that half-elven snake. You and I both know that if he hears of this, he will never...as you put it once….let me live it down."

"You have my word."

For the first time in a long while, I felt a sense of relief and gratitude. Perhaps, I thought, things would be alright in the end.

To be continued…..

Another chapter done! I know it's not very long, but I hope you like it nonetheless! Leave me comment!