Yes! I'm so happy to see that most of my reviewers decided to continue reading!

A/N: You will now have a chance to see how deep Legolas' grief really goes. If he's OOC in this chapter, forgive me.

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IwishChan: Yes, it is a big improvement, thankfully! He'll start opening up to the others soon, have no fear! Thank you for your review, and I'm glad you like my story!

ghostlyfacade: It's alright, you can have another doughnut. And I'm glad you liked the last chapter! (It certainly was long enough for me, and I'm the writer!) I'm also glad you decided to keep reading! I, too, however, liked the turtle. I thought it was a cute touch. -grin-

Hippielover459: Yes, it certainly was a long chapter, possibly as tiring to read as it was to write! lol. Anywho, glad you liked it, and I hope to see reviews from you in the future!

Gemini969: Thanx! I hope I updated soon enough for you!

Black Zodiac: Thank you! I probably can always update soon. I have no life, and the computer is really the only thing I have to do. So there will be plenty of updates for you! I'm glad you decided to keep reading!

Redleef: lol, thanx. I liked the turtle myself.

lindahoyland: Thank you! I'm glad you like my version of Estel. Anyway, I'm glad to know you're not annoyed at me or anything, and I'll consider changing the title, for both ours and readers' sakes. I like your suggestions. I'll keep them in mind when I try to change it. Thanx for your review, and I'm glad you decided to keep reading!

kkcnbay5: That's okay. I know some people have trouble with reviews. But, if you can take the time to simply write a 'good' or 'bad', that would mean a lot to me. I'm glad you decided to keep reading!

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Again, forgive me if there's any OOCness. Disclaimer (I forgot last chapter): I don't own anything! Will someone please get these lawyers off of me? They won't leave me alone! -grabs broom- Back, people of law, back to the shadows! (I am so whacked. O.o)

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ch. 6

Estel tugged Veni from her stall. She nickered happily, joyous in knowing that she was going for a run. Two stalls down, Legolas called Khílya out. She came willingly, brushing her nose against his shoulder in a sign of affection. He held her long snout and stroked her cheek with the back of his hand, staring into her dark brown eyes. She stayed still in his embrace for a moment before snorting and shoving him to her side, indicating that she wanted him to climb onto her back. He laughed lightly and patted her side.

"You have a very pushy horse," Estel pointed out with a small smile. Legolas laughed again and fingered her mane fondly.

"Yes, and she is as stubborn as a mule," he said. Khílya snuffled and tossed her head in what seemed to mean: so what if I am? I'd rather get going instead of standing here all day and talking of my unattractive traits.

Legolas, seeming to get the message, leaped lightly onto her back and gripped her mane as he waited for Estel. The boy climbed onto the back of his small pony, trotting out into the sunshine and regrouped with Legolas. They jerked their mounts back when they heard a voice behind them.

"Mind if I join you?"

Legolas and Estel both whipped their heads around to see Arwen prance lightly up to them on the back of a burly dappled steed, his name Zeinix. She pulled him up short next to the two of them, brushing back her windswept hair out of her eyes and flashing a brilliant smile at the two of them. She wore a pair of leggings and a tunic that she had filched from Elrohir's wardrobe, for his clothes fit her better than Elladan's, though they were still too big. She could not wear a dress for riding.

"Well?" she asked the two stunned faces staring at her odd attire. "Are we going?"

"Right," Estel muttered, wondering when he would ever understand elves and their ways. He kicked his pony into a gallop, soon followed by Legolas and Arwen. They raced beneath the trees, following the path. It was not long before they veered off and created their own path through the forest.

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"How about over here?" Arwen called to the two boys from Zeinix's back. Legolas on Khílya soon came beside her, Estel sitting in front of him. Veni followed behind on short legs. The day so far had gone perfectly. They had trotted and explored through the forest, finding new things and sometimes going on foot to give their mounts a break. Legolas soon became as he usually was when he was alone with Estel, he opened up, despite Arwen's presence. The elf maiden found she liked Legolas much better when he was not under the stress of others or the role of being a prince. It had taken a few hours, but eventually he was laughing and joking along with them, for Estel had soon wormed his way past all of the layers of stoic reserve again, opening it wide for Arwen to see, and what she saw she liked.

After the sun had crawled past the midway point in the sky, they all decided on a race. They had spent the last quarter of an hour searching for the perfect place for the competition. Now Arwen was standing at the head of a gigantic meadow, the green grass spreading out before them for at least five miles. It was the perfect place for a race between two competitive elves and their stubborn horses. Khílya snuffled and tossed her mane, her brown eyes flicking over the sturdy body of her opponent before she trotted down into the meadow, Zeinix following close behind. They fell into an even line, gazing at the small hills of the meadow before them.

"So, Arwen, if you want to drop out of this now you can do it," Legolas said, flashing a smile in her direction. "Your steed is strong, yes, but he is not made for running, whereas Khílya is made of the swift winds." He patted her neck fondly. Khílya nickered in what seemed to be agreement, tossing her mane proudly and flicking her long tail. Zeinix snuffled indignantly as Arwen shook her head.

"You underestimate Zeinix," she said, stroking the dappled gray coat of the insulted horse. "He is much faster than you think. He may look bulky, but he can run with as much grace as a lark in flight and with the swiftness of a hunted buck." Legolas laughed lightly at the analogy, shaking his head.

"It will be your own undoing, Arwen, but it is your choice after all," he said quietly. He began to lift Estel off of Khílya's back. The boy voiced his disagreement and gripped her mane tightly.

"I want to stay with you," he said. Legolas nodded and let go of him, reaching around Estel's waist to grab a handful of her mane himself.

"Ready to lose?" he asked the elven maiden beside him as he leaned over. The musical laughter of Arwen rang in his ears.

"I do not think I am the one who will be losing," she replied, leaning over her own mount in preparedness for the race.

"Alright…one, two, three, GO!" Estel shouted. Both elves kicked the undersides of their horses, and with startled whinnies, the two animals geared into a sprint. Khílya had the lead for a few moments, but Zeinix soon caught up and kept pace with her. The two of them stayed evenly for a while, the dust and grass flying beneath their hooves. Legolas glanced at his opponent. He whispered encouragement to his mount in Elvish quietly. Arwen was doing the same to her own steed, coaxing him slightly faster with each word she uttered.

Estel gasped as a log came into view. Legolas and Arwen led their horses over the barrier, receiving only a light jarring as the mounts leaped expertly and gracefully over the log. There was a slight falter in Zeinix's landing, giving Khílya enough time to get ahead. Legolas smiled knowingly as he heard Arwen shouting emboldening words in Elvish at her mount.

Khílya, incited, sprinted faster, leaving the steed far behind her. Legolas glanced back and saw Arwen's determined face through the dust, goading her horse faster. Estel whooped in exhilaration, throwing a fist in the air in accomplishment.

"The race is not finished yet, Estel," Legolas breathed into the young one's ear.

"Yes, but there is no way she can win now," he said back, struggling to be heard over the pounding of the horse's hooves beneath them. The elf prince smiled.

"Khílya!" Legolas shouted as she stumbled when her hoof slipped into a ditch. She was not hurt, but the falter allowed Zeinix to catch up, and the two horses were neck and neck once again. Arwen smiled at her luck as her steed began to pull ahead. Legolas lightly kicked Khílya's belly, but she was nearly worn out and her breath was coming in great gasps. Arwen's laugh of triumph could barely be heard over the thundering hooves. Legolas, not about to be beaten by a maiden, whispered a few words of Elvish into Khílya's ear and jerked on her mane. She understood, and taking one large bound, she landed dangerously close to Zeinix's pumping legs. He screeched in surprise and reared slightly, halting his winning streak. Khílya took the opening and raced quickly to the other end of the meadow, where her rider pulled her up short and leaped off her back, laughing. He helped Estel down and waited for Arwen to catch up.

"You cheated!" Arwen hollered as she slid from her mount's back. Legolas laughed and patted Khílya's side. Her breathing was coming in great shuddering gasps, betraying how tired she was. He whispered excited words in Elvish to her and let her wander off to graze and earn a well-won rest.

"I did not cheat, Arwen," Legolas said as she stalked closer. He ducked a swat aimed at his head. The female elf soon fired another shot at his stomach, but he swiftly batted the blow away. What had been once a simple gesture became a playful one on one combat between the two elves. They parried, ducked, shot, fought with all their grace and speed, laughing as they could not best each other. Arwen knelt down and swung her leg out, attempting to kick the prince's legs out from under him, yet he only quickly jumped over her foot. He then landed a light blow against her shoulder. Had they been really fighting, he would have knocked her backward with his strength, but he only caused her to stumble now, lessening the force of the stroke.

Estel watched intently as the two elves fought, trying to follow each move. Such a thing was difficult, for both moved almost too fast for his eyes to trace. He had never seen two elves fight like this before, and it was fascinating, their grace and agility amazing even for their own race. They were both experienced fighters. This made it difficult for either side to win. They were locked in their own graceful and stunning dance, dodging and landing blows, stepping fleetly around each other on swift feet.

Legolas lightly knocked a knuckle against Arwen's pressure point, the area just behind her temple. Elves had certain sensitive places that, when hit, they could stun an elf temporarily. Legolas quickly reached over and tapped such a spot, light enough to not completely stun her, but enough to haze her vision and lose her focus. The very thing he had in mind played out, her feet stumbled, her vision swam. She blinked in confusion as Legolas dropped into a crouch, kicking his leg out and spinning on one foot, catching her ankles. Arwen shrieked in surprise as her feet were taken out from under her, sending her toppling for the ground. With inhuman speed, Legolas straightened and caught her before she could collide with the earth. When her sight returned, she glared up at the prince holding her. Both were breathing deeply, their energy spurred from the hurried fight.

"You…are…a cheater," Arwen puffed, casting him a melting glower that she had learned from her father. The prince was not fazed, and he quirked a cocky eyebrow and smiled, only frustrating her more.

"Anything else you want to do to humiliate yourself?" he asked lightly. "Racing, fighting, what else is there?"

"Let me up," she growled, and he smoothly placed her on her feet. She brushed off her tunic and refused to meet the prince's gaze. Estel raced over and grabbed her hand.

"That was amazing!" he chirped, jumping up and down. He turned to Legolas. "Could you teach me how to fight like that?" The elf laughed.

"Maybe," he replied. "But for now, I think we need to get back to the house. It is beginning to grow dark. Khílya!" The mare whinnied and trotted over. Zeinix came to a call from Arwen. They went to the other side of the meadow on foot to give their mounts a break. They were still slightly huffing and their coats were still glossy with sweat. When they came back to the forest Veni was waiting patiently in a clearing, grazing. She nickered a welcome to the group when they arrived. Estel rushed over to her and pet her side. They found the path again and made their way back to Lord Elrond's home, placing their horses in the stables, and the animals did not object. The three of them made their way quietly through the house to Legolas' room and sat out on the balcony. A light conversation began between them, or mainly, between the two elves, for the young one accompanying them did not have the attention span for such activities, and was content with just adding to his centií drawing, lying on his stomach on the balcony floor.

"When will you be leaving for Mirkwood?" Arwen asked. She sat back in her chair. Legolas was perched on the stone balcony railing, his legs crossed under him. The bluish glow that surrounded him was particularly bright tonight, for he was content with his present state of mind. Arwen gave off a glow as well. Legolas placed his elbows on his knees.

"It has been almost three days now, correct?" he mused, almost to himself. He stared down at the progressing sketch Estel was making for a moment.

"In about two weeks' time," the prince finally said. "My father sometimes needs help with the matters of our realm…not that I enjoy the work. Personally, I do not wish to return."

"You do not like it in your home?" the maiden asked, confused. Legolas sighed.

"It is not my home, it is the position I carry in my home and the ones that dwell in it." He said the words somewhat haltingly, not wishing to insult his kingdom.

"Your people?"

"I am Prince Legolas to all of them save few. That is not who I wish to be. There is no comfort being royalty, none who can really appreciate who you are by your behavior, not how you handle a kingdom. This is the very reason I travel so often. Outside my home, I am not called Prince Legolas, your highness, your majesty. I am only called Legolas, and that is the way I want it." He fell silent and gazed at the stars for a few moments.

"I'm sorry." Arwen's voice was soft. She had not realized the burden of carrying royal blood. The elf on the balcony smiled and shook his head, turning a tender gaze in her direction.

"Do not be. You have already given me what I want. You and him," he said, gesturing to Estel, who had fallen asleep where he lay on the balcony floor. Legolas chuckled softly before meeting the maiden's gray eyes with the beautiful blue of his own.

"You do not call me by any title except for my name, and I thank you for that, Arwen," he whispered. She smiled back, not knowing what to say. Legolas sighed and swung around in his seat, tucking one leg under him and hanging the other over the three-story drop. He looked up at the stars.

"That is at least small comfort, having friends," he murmured. He bowed his head. "I have no family for that sort of consolation." Arwen stood from her chair and leaped onto the railing beside him. She had taken off the tunic and leggings and was back in a dress, so such an act was difficult. Her gaze was compassionate as she stared into Legolas' downcast eyes.

"What of your father?" she asked softly, her voice as soothing as the passing breeze. Legolas sniffed.

"My father," he said, with a hint of resentment. "My father cares naught save the kingdom's wellbeing. He does not care for me nor love me. If he does he does not show it." Arwen shifted closer, wishing to give comfort to the saddened prince.

"I'm sure he does love and care for you," she whispered into his gracefully pointed ear. "I am not sure why he would hide it; you need to consult him about that, but all fathers have love for their children. And his love for you would only be strengthened."

"Why would you say that?" Legolas asked softly, swinging his head around to face her and meeting her gaze. Eyes the color of sky and thunderclouds clashed for a moment. Arwen was at a loss for words, and it was the eyes of gray that looked towards the heavens to escape the color of blue boring into her.

"For you are all he has left," she whispered. She would say no more and would not meet his eyes again. Legolas turned his eyes to the stars above.

"I do not fault you for what you are saying," he murmured. "You are correct, but what will it take for him to finally show his care for me? What more do I have to do to make him proud of me? I have tried my hardest in everything I am asked to do, and still he acts as if he is blind to it all." His grief went deeper than the meaning of his words. The thing he was really trying to say was lightly veiled beneath his voice. Arwen saw what it truly was and her heart went out to the young prince. She understood his meaning. Legolas had obviously tried to get closer to his father somehow, but the king kept recoiling. Legolas' confusion lay in the question of why his father was somehow reluctant to speak informally with him. Legolas was placing blame where it should not have been set, asking himself what he could have possibly done to scare Thranduil away.

When Legolas glanced back at Arwen he saw that she was looking at him in sympathy, her eyes soft. He swallowed tightly. He did not want anyone's pity, least of all from a daughter of the elven lord.

"I am sorry, Legolas," she whispered. He suddenly realized that she had understood the real meaning of his confusion and pain. He mentally cursed himself. For centuries he had kept his fears, doubts and hurts secret from all around him. He had just revealed his insecurities to Arwen, an elven maiden he hardly knew. His father had tried to pry this information out of him and come out unsuccessful, and he was a stern questioner. How could Arwen receive all of this information without even asking for it? Legolas soon came up with an answer. The very thing his father had not been supplying was the key to opening up the lock that held his fears and pain, and Arwen had given it to him, allowing his stoic barrier to crumble. It was compassion. Compassion and understanding is what he had needed for years on end and had never received. He suddenly realized that he yearned it, he yearned comfort and understanding from someone else.

How weak am I? Legolas asked himself in disgust. A tear slid unbidden from his eye. He lifted his hand to wipe it away, but Arwen's cool fingers closed around his wrist, halting his movement. She placed her hand on the side of his face, wiping away the tear with her thumb. He closed his eyes at her touch, his body trembling from the effort to keep the sobs inside of him quiet. The only things that betrayed his anguish were the tears that escaped his eyes, sliding silently down his fair cheeks. Arwen felt her heartstrings tug painfully inside herself as she watched the elven prince weep. Finally, when she thought she could stand it no longer, she gently pulled Legolas into a tight embrace. He seemed mildly surprised at the abrupt sign of comfort, but his grief soon overwhelmed him, and he collapsed bonelessly against her, his body shaking uncontrollably as he pressed his eyes into her shoulder and let the current of sorrow sweep him away.

Arwen rocked him slowly back and forth, murmuring soothing things in Elvish. She seemed to have an aura of consolation about her that soothed the young prince's pain. After all, she had been there for each of her younger twin brothers and then Estel whenever they had had a night terror or had been seeking comfort after others had teased them that day. She had her mother's heart and gave luxury freely and often to whomever needed it.

Arwen smoothed Legolas' golden hair and whispered Elvish words into his ear as he wept, pressing her cheek against the side of his head and tightening her hold around his shoulders. She almost started when he spoke, quietly, so low that even her keen elvish hearing could barely make out the words.

"I watched…her die," he moaned, his breathing hitched from the sobs that still needed to escape. "I…could have done something…to stop it…but…it's all my fault."

"Shh…Legolas, hush," Arwen whispered. "What's your fault?"

"My…mother's death," he replied quietly, his eyes still pressed into her shoulder. "The orc…I watched as it…stabbed her…I could…could have done something." His words were hesitant and low, but the anguish behind them was clear. "That is why…Ada hates me…he knows it's all my fault…" The prince's words trailed away as a new set of sobs wracked his body. Arwen rocked him slightly harder and she grasped his hand tightly in her own.

"Hush, Legolas, none of it was your fault," she whispered in Elvish. "You could not stop it. You were young and did not know that such violence would be inflicted on your mother."

"I was right there, Arwen," Legolas argued, emphasizing the word as he lifted his head from her shoulder and stared deeply into her eyes. "I could have done something. Instead I could only sit there and watch as her life left her right beneath my palms stained with her blood…I could only watch her die. I…I was so helpless." His gaze turned away in shame. Arwen cupped the side of his face in her hand and forced him to meet her gaze again.

"You could not stop the blow that ended your mother's life," she whispered. "I doubt that anyone could have. But being there when she was dying, her son, you, probably helped her more than you think by giving her comfort during her last moments. Could she, I know she would thank you." Legolas was silent for a moment. He gazed openly into Arwen's eyes, saying without words how he felt. He allowed himself to be pulled into another embrace when the sadness began to let the tears free from his eyes and found that he welcomed it. The two elves sat motionless on the stone balcony, both of their natural glows emanating from them mixing in the darkness. They only had a few moments' peace when a small sound interrupted them. Estel was beginning to stir, his eyes fluttering open. Legolas and Arwen immediately separated, leaping nimbly from the balcony on which they had sat. Estel blinked and slowly sat up, his eyes bleary and his whole body stiff from slumbering on stone.

"Arwen?" he asked groggily as she knelt beside him and helped him sit up. She gathered the papers quickly as Legolas aided Estel in getting to his feet. The young one yawned and stretched.

"Time for bed, little one," Arwen whispered to the boy, giving him a light shove off of the balcony and into Legolas' dark room. He went without argument. Arwen stooped to lift the papers and straightened, righting her slightly disheveled dress. She was halted at the sound of a soft voice.

"Arwen."

The elven maiden turned to face the woodland warrior that stood beside the balcony railing, his head slightly bowed. He lifted his gaze and met hers.

"Hannon le," he whispered. Arwen smiled and nodded.

"Garo bost vaer, Legolas," she murmured. He smiled softly and bowed his head in farewell. She left with a whisper of her dress, the gossamer curtains of the balcony door fluttering slightly in the breeze she created when she walked by. Legolas sighed and returned his gaze to the stars, wiping the wetness from the tears off of his face with the back of his hand.

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Aww...reviews, please! -Copperfang