PLEASE READ A/N :)

Hellooooo everyone! So, crazy story here. Legolas is born after Aragorn! Ok, so I do know that elves age differently and all that, but everything got sooo confusing that I just decided to pretend that they age normally until they're maybe twenty? Please don't flame me for this;) It's au! Anyways, I hope this first chapter doesn't bore you too much, it's just a background for Legolas mostly and how he ends up in Rivendell! I already have chapter two written (it needs serious editing though, and it should probably be a bit longer) but anyways, if anyone is interested in him going to Rivendell, meeting Aragorn (yayy!)and of course, my favorite singer (besides Mags!) Lindír! There will hopefully be some Glorfindel and Erestor too because I just love them!Please note, to anyone who happens to be reading 'War in Imladris', Erestor calling Glorfindel 'Glorf' is purely for humor. There won't be any of that in this story. (I do intend to update!)

Ok this is already a way longer note than it was supposed to be so I'll just put translations at the end:)

2935, Mirkwood.

The Woodland Realm was ablaze with lights, and the sound of singing could be heard for miles around. It was a joyous occasion, albeit an unexpected one. Mirkwood had a new prince. The small baby had been named Legolas, in honor of the once green forests of Mirkwood, and the King Thranduil and Queen Eleren hoped that one day, he would help to bring the beauty of the forest back.

He was the delight of their hearts, constantly smiling and cooing softly. His first word was 'ada'. From the time he was a baby he had shown a love for animals and things that grew, surpassing all other wood-elves passion, and his parents knew they had rightfully named him Greenleaf. When he was five years old, he had nursed a limping bunny back to health and insisted on keeping him. He named him (endearingly) Oropher in memory of the grandfather he never knew. All was happy in Mirkwood, aside from the darkening times, but for then it was kept at bay.

XxxxxxxX

As Legolas grew, the darkness grew. Elven soldiers were constantly being sent on missions to clear the forest of spiders, but on the very borders of Northern Mirkwood, a dark power was rising in Dol Guldur. Legolas was, for the most part, too young to understand all that went on. The one thing he noticed more clearly than everything though was his mother.

She was becoming sadder as the days passed by, and she spoke little to anyone. Eventually, she started thinning to the point where Thranduil himself would beg her to eat. But her fear of the darkness, and the fading of what had once been the beautiful Greenwood nothing could take away. She was dying of her grief. She went on like this for years though, trying her best to hold on for her young son, until when Legolas was only seventeen years old, she laid down and called him to her.

Thranduil was holding her hand, with tears running down his face. Legolas slowly walked towards her, fearful of what was happening.

'My son,' she whispered as he drew near to the bedside. 'I love you so much.' Legolas gasped when he realized that she was saying goodbye.

Turning imploring eyes to his father, who just took his hand and squeezed it, Legolas started weeping. He got down on his knees beside the bed, and placed his hand on Eleren's arm.

'Naneth?' He said. 'You cannot leave me and Ada. How will we live without you?' Eleren smiled sadly, tears filling her own eyes.

'We will meet again.' She said. 'Lean down.' Legolas bent over her, his tears falling onto her neck, and let her kiss his forehead.

'I love you too.' He said quietly. She smiled, closed her eyes, and her spirit passed. Legolas' face fell forward onto her neck as he sobbed. Thranduil was crying too, and he had hold of Legolas' hand still.

After what seemed like hours, Thranduil gently put his hands around his son's waist and pulled him into his arms. Legolas buried his face into the rich robes, his cries calming down to sniffles and gasps.

XxxxxxxxX

After the queens death, Mirkwood fell into despair. Thranduil did not shirk his duties as King, but his grief melded into coldness, and his love was given fully to Legolas. The dangers about them worried him to no end though, and finally, after much struggling, he made the hardest decision of his life.

Calling Legolas into his chambers one day, he looked long and hard at him, with a mixture of sadness and fondness in his gaze.

'You called me, Ada?' Legolas said, a bit worried when he saw the look on his father's face.

Thranduil nodded, sighing. 'The darkness is growing too strong, Legolas,' He paused and sighed again. 'I must send you away.'

Legolas started. *'Send me away? Send me where?'

'To Imladris. It is safe there, and I know the Lord Elrond. You will be happier.'

Legolas gasped. 'I will not be happy there! I cannot leave my home! I have never even been there before! I cannot leave you, Ada.' Thranduil looked up, surprised at the last remark, Though not at the outburst. 'You are all I have.' Legolas whispered as they gazed into each other's eyes.

Thranduil crossed the distance between them and swept Legolas into an embrace. Legolas wrapped his arms around his father.

'Legolas, íon nîn,' Thranduil smoothed back Legolas' hair with his hand. 'You must go.'

Legolas pulled away from Thranduil. He knew arguing was useless, but he would do it anyway. And he did, until the day he was to leave, when Thranduil himself took a score of guards and escorted him out of the Wood.

Thank you so much for reading! :) I hope you liked it! Please r , and constructive criticism is always welcome (not flames pls). I would very much appreciate not being reminded what is and isn't canon by Tolkien purists (speaking from past experience). This is strictly AU, as I've said before:) Also if anyone read 'father at heart', I don't actually think Thranduil was a horrible dad in the movie, and of course he loved Legolas! That wasobvious especially in the last scene of them! Most of my stories are au, and I dearly love Stories of Thranduil being a good, loving dad:) Anyways, that was to clear up any confusion over the matter! Btw if anyone wants to see certain times in Legolas' life in Rivendell, then feel free to drop a pm or review! I'll try my best:)) It can be him with any character that I write! (Lindír, Glorfindel, Erestor, The twins, ANYONE! and ofc Aragorn) Ok! Translations, then I'll shut up!

Ion nîn- my son

Eleren (Legolas' mother)- Woodland star