To answer the questions of my reviewers, as there have been many along the same line,

Legolas only knew Malenfin as a babe, and then Arwen insisted that he return to his home to take care of the shadows that were hovering over Mirkwood at the time.

This is all, of course, took place much earlier than the Council of Elrond, and by the time that event took place, Malenfin was of age and doubtless running about elsewhere. You know how those mischievous young Elves can be.

I know it's confusing, guys, but you have my word: it will all be made clear in the coming chapters. I intend to go further back into the history, and explain how everything came to be, but you all will have to bear with me. I apologize. :)

And no, Thranduil never knew Legolas had a son. Our fair blond Prince intended to tell him after the War. Sad, isn't it? But don't worry, that all will come to a head soon too (hint hint).

---------------------------------------

Malenfín clapped a hand over his mouth, glowering at him. "Be quiet!" he hissed. "I didn't come here to tell all the Dwarves!"

"I'm sorry," Gimli murmured in muffled apology, too shocked to say anything else.

"If I release you, will you be calm?"

The Dwarf nodded, and the hand was removed. Immediately, Gimli's mouth fell agape.

"I cannot believe," he whispered, "that your mother is the Evenstar, the Lady Arwen Undómiel."

"Well, 'tis true," Malenfín told him quietly.

"Please, beg pardon if this comes across as insulting, but I have to tell you, Malenfín, you are every inch the mirror image of your father. You look almost nothing like Arwen."

The Elf, rather than being offended at the mention that he bore no resemblance to his celebrated beauty of a mother, simply nodded his agreement.

"Believe me, it is no hardship to favor your father," Gimli reassured him quickly, just in case. "He was easy enough on the eyes in his own right. Entire crowds fell silent when they caught sight of his fair form. The poor Halflings practically wilted with envy. Legolas was very beautiful; believe me, you are lucky to be blessed with two exquisitely ravishing Elves as parents."

Malenfín smiled. "He apparently did not know it. My mother told me that, upon having his first viewing of me after the birth, he was terribly disappointed that I did not have her dark hair."

Gimli smiled too, and chuckled. "Aye, that sounds like something Legolas would have said."

"I think my mother was more readily pleased about it, for she was the one who christened me Malenfín, which translates to 'golden.' "

"Very fitting," the Dwarf proclaimed.

A comfortable silence fell between them, but after a bit, Gimli could no longer avoid the question that was positively burning a hole into his mind.

"Does Ara--ah, Elessar, know?"

Rather than glowering at the Dwarf for making a perfectly pleasant lull into a completely awkward conversation, Malenfín answered, "Of course. My mother told him the night before you and your eight companions left Rivendell to begin your Quest."

"He must have taken the news very, very well," Gimli remarked sardonically. Malenfín lifted a fair brow in confusion, prompting the Dwarf to add, "That Man had a temper to be reckoned with."

"She gave Elessar the Evenstar pendant, not Legolas," Malenfín reminded him.

"To soften the blow?"

The Elf frowned. "No, she gave it to him because she knew she belonged with him; however, it did help ease Elessar's fears that she might still be in love with my father. It also was a gesture meant to reassure him that her future now lay with him. There is no doubt in my heart that my mother ever regretted her choice."

"There is no doubt in mine that Legolas ever did either."

Malenfín quickly replied, "Certainly not. From what she tells me, he was completely supportive, even downright enthusiastic, about her plans to marry Elessar."

Gimli smiled. "That was your father, all right. Always insisting on looking out for the happiness of others. Given the unfailing adoration he bestowed on those he loved, one would never have guessed that he was such a lethal warrior on the battlefield."

If Gimli had managed to bring up an uncomfortable topic of conversation earlier, Malenfín proved far better at it.

"Were you there when..." The Elf trailed off, clearly uncomfortable as he offered Gimli a sheepish look of apology.

Shifting in his seat, the Dwarf nodded, awkwardly clearing his throat. He knew the end of the inquiry. Were you there when...my father died.

"Did he suffer?"

Another nod; this time, slower and much more reluctant.

There were tears in the remarkable blue eyes, Gimli noted with real regret and immeasurable sympathy, but the proud Elf remained composed. "I see..."

"I am sorry, Malenfín, but if you are at all like your late father, I assume you are not an Elf who minces words."

The golden head shook slowly. "I want to know the truth, and I could not bear to ask my mother. It would surely traumatize her; besides, she was not there as you were."

Gimli winced. "I'd rather not, Master Elf. Perhaps you could ask Elessar?"

"The King is far too busy, and I want to hear it from my father's best friend." The blue eyes, so achingly identical to Legolas's, pleaded with the Dwarf. "Please?"

By Mahal! How could he deny the fair young Elf his wishes; yet how could he bear to repeat the horrid experience to Legolas's only child? It would surely break his heart.

"You cannot know the depths of my regret that you inherited your father's insatiable curiosity, Malenfín. I do not wish to relay the terrible details of his passing to you."

"He was my father, Gimli." The musical voice was pleading. "I want to know what happened."

The Dwarf took a deep breath, and mentally prepared himself for the recollection of the facts that had haunted him every day for the two years since Legolas had gone on to the Halls of Mandos.

The awful memories swirled around him, then engulfed him, and Gimli could not have braced himself against the tidal wave of agony that crashed against his soul.

But alas, the tale must be told. He could not deny Malenfín the right to know the truth.