Legolas and Malfortion took turns during the night watching over Ingeras. Just before sunrise, Thranduil woke and ventured to his son's room. There, he found Legolas sitting on the edge of the bed, just watching the little boy who slept with an anxious look on his face. "Legolas?" Thranduil spoke quietly so as not to waken the youngster.

"Ada, good morning." Legolas looked up at him with a smile.

"How is our new house guest?" Thranduil asked.

"Well, his fever has come down considerably. But Malfortion says that he is very weak. He will need good nourishment and plenty of it! What worries me is that he appears to be deeply troubled about something, Ada." Legolas said gravely.

"Has he spoken at all?"

"No. Not coherently. He had nightmares most of the night. We tried waking him out of them, but Malfortion said that the high fever escalated the anxiety in him with the delirium. I pray he will get sufficient rest tonight!" Legolas hung his head.

"Why don't you get some rest, son?" Thranduil suggested.

"Nah. I am fine, Ada." Legolas smiled. "I want to be here when he wakes up."

"You've taken a liking to the miniature human, haven't you?" Thranduil prodded. He didn't sound angry, merely curious.

"I suppose I have." Legolas chuckled. "I guess...he reminds me of Estel, when he was little. And...the child is not with his parents. I cannot imagine how frightening that must be!"

Ingeras began whimpering, his eyes still closed. He began to shed tears and cry out in as if he was in great pain. "Papa...Papa! Noo! No….no, stop! Please!" Thranduil hurried closer to the bed and Legolas gripped the boy's quivering shoulders. "Let me go! Momma! No...nooo!" Legolas wailed desperately, horror, terror, and grief strangling his small voice.

"Wake up, little one!" Legolas urged him. "It's a dream." Neither he nor his father were prepared for what happened next! It happened so fast. Ingeras's body lurched forward and he woke with his little hands clutching Legolas tightly around the throat.

"Legolas!" Thranduil boomed defensively, about to rip the boy's hands from his son.

"He's frightened, Father!" Legolas blurted out. All Thranduil cared about at the moment was protecting his son from this little creature who appeared to be trying to strangle Legolas. But then he took a long look. The wild look in the boy's eyes made him look like a tiny, terrified, helpless animal. Legolas spoke soothingly. "Easy there, penneth. You were dreaming. We won't hurt you." Ingeras was hyperventilating, loosening his grip, and his arms were trembling with panic. "Easy, penneth. It's all right. Nothing is going to hurt you here.' Legolas said as tenderly as he would to a tiny woodland creature. He pried the shaky hands from his neck, much to Thranduil's relief.

Ingeras's glazed eyes darted suspiciously from Legolas to Thranduil, then back to Legolas. "Let me go, please!" Ingeras begged anxiously. "You can't keep me a prisoner here!"

"You are no one's prisoner, small one." Thranduil said calmly. If you hadn't released my son, then you would be! "We only wish to know who you are."

Ingeras pursed his lips tightly. "You are very sick, little one." Legolas said.

"What did you do to me?!" Ingeras demanded.

"Nothing, child. We found you in the forest, alone and very ill. We want to help you. I am Legolas. Can you tell us your name?" Legolas asked in a friendly voice. Ingeras cautiously watched both elves, as if he were afraid they would strike him at any minute.

"You have nothing to fear." Thranduil said.

"I don't even know where I am!" Ingeras wept helplessly. "And I don't know you."

"You are in Mirkwood, the Woodland Realm." Thranduil said.

"I don't know where that is!" Ingeras cried.

"Shh. You don't have to know right now." Legolas shushed him. "We can speak later. Right now you need lots of rest." He gently laid Ingeras back down in the pillows. He reached down to take the covers, but Ingeras mistook his gesture and clenched his hands tightly to his chest. Legolas frowned sadly. Then he remembered the healer's words. "Oh, dear child. It's all right, little one!" He tried to sound as comforting as possible. "I'm not going to bind you. I am only trying to make you more comfortable. I promise I won't hurt you." He pulled the covers to Ingeras's waist, then stretched his hand out to caress the boy's face, but Ingeras shrank back. Legolas managed to lay a finger on him, and Ingeras winced in fear. But the touch was gentle, surprising him. Ingeras looked up imploringly at Legolas, afraid to go to sleep, and hoping the elf wouldn't turn cruel and tie him up.

Ingeras didn't dare look at Thranduil! The Elvin king frightened him. He was so tall, and majestic, so in control, and it made Ingeras shudder. I'm all alone in the world! First, my momma left me. Then Papa! And now Gandalf! I'm all alone! What am I going to do? Where is Papa? Why doesn't he come for me? I wish I could just die and go to be safe with Momma!

"Just rest, little one. You are safe." Legolas smiled encouragingly down at him, stroking his sweaty curls. Ingeras wanted to believe him! But he didn't know these elves. For all he knew, they were most likely reeling him in to gain his confidence, and then they would force him to fight for them, under the most unspeakable conditions! Tears filled Ingeras's eyes as he gazed up at the elf. He looked as if he was about to burst with sobbing, but he held it back. He had to be brave. Legolas brushed a tear away with his thumb. Ingeras winced and closed his eyes just as Malfortion reentered the room. "That's it, little one. Sleep," Legolas murmured.