Disclaimer: The Lord of the Rings story and characters do not belong to me. You can thank Tolkien for that.

Chapter 1

Legolas internally groaned as his bedroom was flooded with morning light. He already knew who it was and pulled his pillow over his head to avoid the loud voice.

"Legolas, Wake up!" Elarinya exclaimed happily opening his the curtains. She saw her little brother's form in the bed trying to cover his ears with the pillow. "It's time to eat. Come one get ready." she told him. He continued to ignore her. She wished he could be like before when he was just a happy and playful elfing, but the world was a cruel place and had taken that innocence long ago.

"Please get up, Legolas." she pleaded, "we want you with us at breakfast." Elarinya sighed. He had gone so far back into his shell and closed everyone off. There was little anyone could do.

Legolas was annoyed by his sister's pleading and sat up. He galred at his sister. "I'm not hungry." he stated defiantly.

"Well, you have to eat. It's not an option. Come on." she replied with authority in her voice.

Legolas knew he was on the brink of trouble. He sighed and pulled himself of bed. He quickly dressed and went to meet his sister in the hall. He followed her down the maze of hallways to their private dining room. As they walked Legolas gazed sadly at his Adar's study. He knew he was in their staring at many documents. He wished he could go in and jump into Ada's arms. He knew that couldn't happen. Adar didn't love him anymore. Why else would he not look at him.

Elarinya saw her brother gazing at the door and pulled him past. She knew what he was thinking. All her siblings felt the same. Adar wasn't the loving person he used to be. Not since Naneth's death. She just didn't understand how he could do this. All her ever talked to them about was politics and battle strategies. That was mostly her older brother's thing anyways. So, she rarely saw Adar.

They came to the dining room and Elarinya pushed the wooden doors open. Their brothers Idhrenion and Thalion were already there as well as their sister Gwestiel. "Good morning." she said with a smile as she and Legolas sat down.

"Good morning, sister. And how are you, penneth?" Idhrenion said in greeting.

Legolas did not answer to no one's surprise. He very rarely talked. When he did it was mostly to Elarinya. Elarinya gave her brother a look saying I'll tell you later. "Where's Aranhil?" she asked referring to their oldest brother and crown prince of Mirkwood.

"In some meeting like always." Aranhil answered. Elarinya nodded in understanding. The rest of the meal went without conversation. This was also normal. The siblings had once been very close, but with time and the darkening of the realm, they drifted apart. All were lost in their own thoughts. Elarinya deeply wished for the old days. When Naneth and Adar were always smiling and the halls were filled with laughter. The happiest person had been Legolas he could bring a smile to anyone's face and make them forget their own sorrows. Elarinya remembered the first time Legolas did that for her.

…

"Please Ada! All the other ellith my age get to!" Elarinya pleaded to her father. Thranduil shook his head. "You cannot go. It's not safe. I won't have my daughter parading around with a bow and arrow in woods full of dangerous things. I'm sorry iell-nin my answer is final."

Elarinya pouted and sulked. She knew he wouldn't change his mind and arguing was useless. She would never be like the other ellith her age. They got to run around and play everyday while she was stuck in lessons and other boring activities training her to be princess of her realm. Elarinya was infuriated. It wasn't fair and she wanted to be free. She ran to her room and locked herself in. Then she came up with an idea.

Elarinya went to her window and pried it open. She climbed out and into the tree right outside. She had always hated the tree because of the shadows it had caused when she was much younger, but for the first time she was grateful for it. She climbed down the tree and ran stealthily through the gardens to avoid guards. She successfully made it to the woods without detection. She then climbed into the trees and gracefully made her way to the cove. This was a place that was for her family and had been for thousands of years. She was grateful for the quiet. She also knew her elder brothers kept weapons hidden out here in case of invasions. She found a bow and notched an arrow and began to take out her anger on targets. She never missed a shot and didn't understand why Adar couldn't see her skill. Finally exhausting herself she threw the bow down and leaned up against one of the tree and began to sob.

After a while she began to her footsteps. She could tell they belonged to an elf and prepared herself for reprimanding from her Adar. What she saw shocked her. Standing next to her was not her Adar, but her baby brother Legolas. "Legolas! What are you doing out here? Nana and Adar are going to worry!" she exclaimed.

He came to sit by her. "Inya, the trees are sad because you are sad. Why are you crying?" he asked sounded very concerned.

"I'm fine, penneth. Don't worry about me." she replied.

"No, not fine." Legolas said to her. "Dont be so sad. The trees are feeling bad. They miss your smile and want to see you happy like me."

Elarinya gaped at her brother. How did he become so wise. "I love you, greenleaf." she said smiling at him. He laughed when he saw her smile and threw his arms around her. She held him close and they sat together for a while and Elarinya told him stories getting him to laugh. They hadn't noticed their parents standing hidden the trees. They had noticed Legolas leave and had followed him wondering where he was heading. As they witnessed the moment, they felt their hearts soar and somehow felt all was ok.

…

Elarinya felt happy at the memory. She looked at her brother and again felt her heart drop. She saw none of that joy left in his eyes.

Hope you like it!