Sorry for the slow update. This one is a longer chapter and I am trying to do away with the set up and get into more of a story. As always reviews and tips are always welcome as well as any questions you may have. I am by no means perfect and any (kind) edits you may have would be awesome!

Chapter 4

Abandoned! Was all that Gimli could think at the moment. He regretted ever letting that pointy eared rascal out of his sight. So far he had been fed and cleaned but he had to endure all of that with the judgemental eyes of the staff. A few elleths laughed as he struggled to fit into a child's tunic; eventually it was decided that nothing the elves had in store was going to fit a heavily muscled dwarf no matter how starved he was (he would have to wear what he came in until some clothes were made)

A knock at the door was heard and a heavily accented voice spoke in the common tongue at the door.

"Gloin's son, you are wanted at the Kings table for the feast tonight. When you are ready you may follow me to the-"

The door opened startling a young ellon.

"Get on with it," grumbled the dwarf. Not that he was displeased with his treatment entirely, but being alone in a strange land is awkward and unpleasant for almost everyone. He wished to see Legolas so that he may have some sort of steadiness to his stay.

Down a pathway they walked briskly, or was it a bridge?, they all looked the same anyway. The whole palace was a networks of what seemed to be gigantic tree roots and stones forming rooms and halls connecting parts of the cave. He was led through the same way he came in and that was out the hall down many stairs, through a large dining room, down more stairs and through the throne room out the main gate.

When the gates opened he saw it was night, and yet the darkness was not absolute. The lights on the forest had increased and sprite like orbs danced in the moonlight. Down the enchanted path was the feast. Haunting music played and young elves danced while those older sat by and talked, sipping wine. At the head of the feast was the Elven King. His robes were a dark green- almost black- his hair was shining like the stars and his eyes were mischievous. Gimli did not feel any resentment towards the man who imprisoned father. Instead he felt respect. Power seemed to glow around him and Legolas as if the forest was absorbed into his body. He was talking to Legolas who turned laughing then noticed Gimli's arrival. He gestured to an empty seat across from him. Dumbfounded Gimli walked to the table and bowed before the King.

"Arise, Gimli Gloin's son," Legolas laughed, "we are all friends here and you are seated at the third highest chair in the table, such formalities are not necessary."

The Elven King hid a smirk under a glass of wine,

"Legolas! Be kind to our guest," to Gimli he said, "please sit, elf-friend, I wish to hear more of your travels. My son seems to find joy in keeping me waiting," he shot a glare over at Legolas who pretended not to see it.

"Surely our tale is too dreary for a feast such as this?" Gimli suggested in more of a hesitant manner than he had hoped. In truth, the Elven King made him nervous. While he knew the king was known for his temper by dwarves, and his merriment by the elves, neither side held a stronger truth than the other. Like a cat it seemed he could change his temperament in a manner of seconds-milliseconds. Luckily, Thranduil chose not to pounce at this particular moment and he was rewarded with a hearty laugh.

"The War of the Ring was dark yes; however, at this time the darkness has left and we do not wait in anticipation for its next coming. Should we be waiting, I suppose your tale would be too dark, but now it is quite the compelling story for much of the younger elves."

"I suppose we could tell a twisted version that would be much more entertaining once everyone has drank a bit more," Legolas said thoughtfully, eyes glimmering, "There's a bit about Estel that might be enough to keep Arwen from marrying him."

"Speaking of Aragorn, how is he?" asked the Elven King, "the last I saw him he was covered in a layer of mud so thick I couldn't tell who it was, and he was carrying such a wretched creature it was impossible to stand the stench."

"Well, he has had a shower, thankfully," said Gimli.

"-he still stinks of man though"

"Legolas! He's a king now, you can't just throw those comments around. People may-"

"Nonsense, Gimli! I knew him since he as a child and no crown could ever make me stop teasing him. He'll be so terrible bored without me! I do hope Faramir will give him a laugh while we're away," turning to Thranduil he said more concerned, "He's become to cross already, father. The kingdom will have a dark cloud around it in no time if he keeps up his worrying and seriousness."

"A kingdom cannot be run by jesters, Legolas," the king responded crossly.

"Then you must never leave, father, else Mirkwoo-Eryn Lasgalen might," he corrected.

At this time, Legolas' eye was caught by an elleth across the clearing by the musicians, and he excused himself quickly.

Gimli raised an eyebrow. She was certainly pretty; she was short (in elven terms) her hair was a light golden-brown and her face was delicate but proud and intelligent. Her dress was white and free-flowing.

"Might I ask?" Gimli wondered.

"She's one of our diplomats, mainly because she speaks almost every language currently in use. When Bilbo Baggins left for home he promised to send her books on his own language. She learned it entirely in six months." the King answered.

"That certainly is an impressive gift!" Gimli exclaimed.

"There are drawbacks though," he sighed, "Foreigners are not so inclusive of females as elves are. Many times her suggestions are thrown away simply because of this."

"In what ways do our countries differ?" the dwarf wondered politely, but defensively. He never thought of the dwarves treatment of their women to be unfair.

"First, they are allowed to fight, be captains, spies, advisors, even rule if no male heir is present. Never have I seen any mannish culture do such a thing." said the king.

"That is," Gimli added, "with the exception of Lady Eowyn of Rohan-"

"A mistake I heard; however, is her victory not proof that a woman's job does not have to be confined to cooking and healing?"

Gimli nodded silently and took a sip of the wine, which was brilliant.

Legolas caught Laerel's eye from across the clearing. She smiled and his heart was put at ease. Did he love her? No, but she was a part of his old life, and a trusted friend for years. She was beautiful even by elven standards and she was as wild as the flowers of the forest.

He caught up to her and grabbed her hands as she twirled towards him, her eyes opening in surprise. Laerel laughed, then embraced him tightly, burrowing into his shoulder.

"We thought we'd lost you," she said a little teary eyed. He pulled away from her,

"I'm afraid you'll have to live with me for awhile more,"

"I'm glad for that. The kingdom needs your help. It is...broken," she sighed.

"Enough with sadness for at least tonight. Let me have this dance and we will forget about our troubles for the present." He lead her deeper into the circle of dancers and many heads were turned at the pair dancing in the moonlight, hair and eyes glowing. For once, the darkness surrounding the forest was like the darkness behind a stage curtain, and the darkness was simply the nighttime.

After the dancing, attention was called to the great table. It sat roughly one hundred at the main table, though many were placed around it in smaller groups. The king stood, preparing to make a speech. Legolas was at the table once more, his hair slightly rustled from the dance. The elves all looked at him, and a child squeaked in the back somewhere but was quickly hushed. The Elven king beckoned Legolas and Gimli to stand was well, though Gimli was much smaller than the other too and was difficult to see.

"For over sixty years, the people of the Greenwood fought against the darkness of this world," he spoke in Silvan, "For over sixty years you have all sacrificed, and given your every effort into protecting this homeland. And it is tonight, that I would acknowledge this sacrifice. I remember, after the fall of Elu Thingol, when my homeland was taken, this wood was the first to give shelter to the lost. I cannot think of another people that would be so willing or accepting of complete strangers. You were the people who gave me a purpose to lead this country and you were the people that made me fight for it. Not for its jewels, nor for its beauty, but for the people it harbours is this realm great. Other lords and kings may boast of great wealth or military, and the great kings of old may be written to have had the most mighty of realms; however, the strength that rest in each soul here, and the beauty in each beating heart is beyond the measure of all else that may or might have existed in all of Arda. I wish there were some way I could reverse the dark lords destruction, but for now my thanks to you must suffice." he paused, but as he did an applause erupted from the clearing, shocking Gimli a little at the sudden noise.

"This brings me to another issue, which I would have Prince Legolas discuss." At this Legolas started slightly but just enough for Gimli to tell. He obviously was not planning on making a speech. He whispered something to Thranduil, to which he responded, "it's time they know the truth,".

Legolas took in a deep breath, "Two years ago, the creature Gollum escaped our watch and I left for Rivendell to inform Lord Elrond. He was corrupted by the One Ring of Sauron, Isildur's Bane, and though the ring had left his grasp, he was sought out by the enemy. The knowledge he possessed was crucial in finding it again. During this stay at Imladris, a secret council was held amongst representatives of the free peoples. Frodo Baggins of the Shire had came to possess the Ring of Power; however, it was undecided what should be done with it. By the end of this council, he had elected to destroy it. Aragorn, now king of Gondor, Gandalf the White, Boromir son of lord Denethor of Gondor, and Gimli son of Gloin, (he pointed to Gimli) were chosen by Lord Elrond to protect him and his friends on this journey as well as myself. Eventually, the three of us fought the war in Rohan and Gondor, and eventually to the Black Gate in which the Ring was finally destroyed," Legolas paused for a moment to think and breathe, "I truly wish I could have fought here with my people. I see what you have lost, and I wonder why I lived through this war and many other deserving souls did not. I do not think many of the elven lords in other lands would believe the Silvan's to be so strong. If there is anything that was learned in this war, it is that the small peoples of the world are sometimes the strongest, and hope in often found when all is forlorn." He looked at Laerel then said smiling, "Now tonight is my begetting day is it not? Let us be merry and think of the darkness no more!"

Legolas sat down and Gimli could see a strain in his face. The smile was gone from his face and he looked old and weary.

It was a few hours until dawn when the feast finally ended, and the elves had all left the clearing. Nothing was evidence to the feast that had just occurred; it was expected that none would awake until noon the next day. Thranduil had shed his royal robs, thrown down his crown and unlaced his boots. The feast was certainly splendid though conversing with the dwarf was a little difficult. Legolas had excused himself a little earlier than most of the nobles but he had just arrived and most likely was stiff from travel. He had just laid down when he heard a scream from down the hall. Instantly he shot up grabbing a knife that laid at his bedside table, rushing down to where he heard the noise. He stopped abruptly at Legolas' room as he heard another scream. He threw open the door to see Legolas sleeping eyes closed, sweating and thrashing about the bed. Dogging arms and legs, he shook him violently awake.

"Legolas! Saes!" he shouted. Legolas gasped awake, eyes wild. Instantly he curled into himself like an elfling, shaking with fear. It was not since his mother's passing that Thranduil had seen his son so shaken. Even in battle and under the darkness of Sauron, he had not been so afraid.

"Legolas, what is it ion?" he calmly asked. Legolas only shook his head, still curled up and breathing hard.

"How long has this happened?" still no response.

"My son, I cannot help you if you will not let me. It pains me to see you in such misery," he said reaching out to touch his shoulder.

"I can't" was all the young elf said.

"You can't what?"

"I cannot find rest, adar. I cannot stay in the darkness and find peace even away from the shadows. I cannot bear to see the destruction that is around me, nor shake the demons from the past. Mostly, I cannot understand why it upsets me know…"

"I understand you pain ion neg. Such turmoil of the mind is normal amongst soldiers, especially after the fighting is done. I promise you, there will be rest, and you will find the stars once more in the night sky."

Legolas sniffed and looked away, "I cannot remember the last time I truly saw the stars over the forest, save in Lorien. The shadow has always existed."

"And it exists no longer, Legolas. You do not have to fight anymore; a reign of rest will be here for the rest of your life, I promise you that."

"I don't believe that,"

"You saw the black tower fall,"

"I still don't believe that,"

"You will,"

"I know,"

Both were silent, breathing steadily, then Legolas asked, "Would you stay?"

"Of course,"

"Hannon le" sighed the young elf, breathing into his pillow, eyes beginning to glaze over into a deep rest.