Chapter 56

Perched high on the ledge of the balcony to his room Legolas gazes down upon the forest outside the kings halls. He still finds it hard to believe he is here and almost wants to keep pinching himself to ensure it is all not some horrible, teasing dream. A sigh leaves his lips and he smiles as his fea reaches out to the trees and swells with happiness at the overwhelming love it becomes engulfed within.

'We never doubted you, Greenleaf,' they seem to say. 'We are glad you are back where you belong.'

The smile gradually leaves his face as memories come flooding back, Lhossons face twisted with hatred, the feel of the knife as it pierced his mentors body, his desperate attempts to push Estel away, the burning shame of his judgement, orcs ,whips, darkness, despair. Every detail plays through his mind up until the moment he was held tightly within his fathers arms again and his thoughts suddenly hitch. Doubt. One word that begins to echo over and over. Doubt. The trees say they had no doubt. Yet he knows others did.

His mind wanders over the lengthy discussion following his fathers decision. The advisors had left to draw up the proper documentation rescinding his sentence and the decree, then after clasping him tightly and smiling in satisfaction Doronor had also taken his leave with the excuse that he was needed to help organise the new patrol routes. This left himself, his father and the three brothers to talk through all that had happened, filling the gaps in each others knowledge.

He had listened with dismay, of the arguments between the twins, Estel and even Elrond upon his innocence or guilt and shame had flooded his being to think that he could be the cause of such family strife. He heard of the horror his father had felt upon receiving the news of his actions, the heartbreak as he wrote the decree, almost cried at the tears shimmering in normally clear, strong eyes and the archers mortification grew as he realised how much pain he had caused.

Estel had then told of how he had come upon Draeg and Flinn in the forest and made the decision to join them and discovered their plans making Legolas' heart beat faster at the thought of the danger his friend had put himself in.

The twins had described their imprisonment and Thranduil had explained how he had assisted in their escape because of an overwhelming fear that his son was in danger and they were the only ones he could turn to, to ask for help, then Legolas had cringed inwardly to think of the humiliation his father must have felt at this.

Shame, he realises now had been his overwhelming feeling as he had related his capture and torture at Lhossons hands and subsequent treatment up until his timely rescue from the orcs and listened to the intertwining tales that combined to give the full sequence of events. Shame had overruled all else at the time, leaving him unable to fully realise what else had been nudging at the edge of his understanding until now. Until the trees had brought it to light.

Doubt. Looking back through each part of the story he had not been aware of its presence at the time yet on reflection it was there, buried deep under the overlying worries and threats. Doubt. His heart suddenly spasms within his chest. They had doubted him. Aye, they all believed now, yet it had been there, if briefly, in each and every one of them, even his father, he had proved that by sending Orchalon with that clearly worded decree, his fate so obviously decided in his absence, without any personal message at all and it hurt. By the Valar it hurt. He closes his eyes then curls inward as pain radiates through his body and inky tendrils begin to snake into his vision. The darkness encroaches further and he suddenly recognises its touch, remembers its comfort and strength. It would be so easy to drift into its powerful embrace once more and forget all else, yet this time it feels different, this time it seems to be urging him back, urging him to fight, to face the world anew and show them he can stand alone, needing no crutch to lean upon, his strength enough to endure whatever any may think of him and within its velvet silence it is as if words begin to form, a sibilant hum, that he feels more than hears.

"They doubted you, but not I, never me, my little leaf, I will always be here for you."

Then it is as if cool fingers run through his hair and a soft breeze caresses his cheek and it is gone. Leaving only the gentle susurration of the trees and the remnant of a presence he can not name.

He shakes his head determined now not to dwell upon what might have been then turns as he hears soft footsteps cross his room to the window.

"Estel." Almost reluctantly Legolas recalls his senses from the loving embrace of the forest and the almost dream.

"How do you always know it is me?" The youth asks as he walks out onto the balcony.

"You are quiet, but no elf mellon nin." The young prince smiles his reply and lightly jumps down from his precarious seat.

"One of these days you will fall," Estel feels his heart clench in fear each time he catches his friend in such a position.

"I am a wood elf, why should I fall?" The innocent open expression on Legolas' face makes Estels heart leap. He had thought never to see it again. "You are packed already?"

They walk back into the room together as the young man nods in reply then reaches down to pick up the pack he had discarded by the door when he first entered the room.

"I'm sorry I can not stay longer gwador," Estel gives a rueful smile "But we must make it home before the first snows come and make the mountains unpassable."

"I know, Estel," Legolas returns the smile cheekily "And your father will be missing you, you know how he worries when you are all three out together, he will expect to have to deal with at least one injured son on your return."

The silvery tinkle of his laughter is balm to the young mans heart and he grins widely before grasping the elf in a hearty hug.

"I will see you again in the Spring?" Letting go the young man steps back and looks into his friends eyes.

"Maybe Estel." The smile is gone from the young princes face now. "I will be needed here for some time I think." He grimaces, "and somehow I don't imagine father will be at all keen to give permission to me to do much travelling in the near future, if at all."

"Aye, you have the right of it there I feel," the young man smiles ruefully. "But there is naught to stop me visiting you mellon nin." They clasp each others shoulders and lean in until their foreheads press together, revelling in their closeness for just a few moments before pulling apart and leaving the room to head outside where the twins are waiting, horses saddled, ready for the long journey home.

With hugs and handclasps last farewells are made and the brothers mount up, their steeds prancing as if eager to be on the way. Legolas moves back to stand beside his father and watches the trio ride away with a heavy heart, waving as they turn back one last time before disappearing from view as they round a bend in the path. He feels a gentle hand placed upon his shoulder and looks up into his fathers piercing eyes.

"You will see them again pen neth," he smiles lovingly down at his child, relishing their nearness, vowing internally to never allow him to leave the safety of the halls again.

"Aye ada, but I have a feeling it will be not for quite some time.." The young prince sighs as his father wraps an arm around his shoulder to lead him back inside and tries to shake the feeling of being led into a prison from which he will need to fight to escape.

And in the depths of Dol Guldur the Witch King smiles, he may not have gained the woodland prince for his master yet, but he has placed the seed. Now he just had to wait, and he is very good at waiting, after all, he has had a few lifetimes to perfect the art.

THE END ...

A/N - I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has come on this journey with me. When I started out I had no idea my first fic was going to grow to such a length with the characters almost taking over the idea I originally had and expanding it to what it has become.

Without all of your lovely reviews and messages too I would never have had the confidence to carry on and I truly hope you have enjoyed the experience as much as I have.

Special mentions must go to LegolasLover2003, DaHybridQueen and ILoveVolleyBall who have been with me from the very beginning with words of encouragement and threats of dire consequences if I harmed the elf beyond repair! (Not to mention the almost endless supply of coffee and treats from ILVB. -Will miss your funny, frantic messages too.)

ILVB - don't know if you will read this but just read your reviews for the last 3 chapters so hoping you will. Thranduil turned out to be a good guy really then,its a good job you didn't drop that anvil on his . I couldn't see your emoticon sadly. You made me turn bright red when you say I have a gift. Thank you so much for that my friend. I think I better run and hide though before you get to the end of this last chapter. Hannon Le, mellon nin.x

I know it is the end but I would still love to know what you think and will reply to all those of you who accept messages. If anyone wants to chat (looking at you ILVB) I can be found as an admin of a facebook page called LOTR and The Hobbit, admin - Cassie Hughes, (profile pic is the spines of the EE DvDs) you could always friend me on my own page too if you wish :)

There just remains for me to say that I have a sequel in mind but it is only just an outline at present. Would any of you want it or shall I leave things as they are?

Many thanks again.

Nyx.