The huge doors opened and the fellowship stepped in. They all noticed that Legolas hesitated before stepping into his home. The hobbits looked at each other, worried. Why would the elf be anxious about finally returning home?

But then their attention was drawn towards the gigantic hall which opened before them. Roots, big as trees seemed to levitate in the hall which ceiling was way above their heads. The guards were clad in green armoury similar to the one Legolas was wearing, stepped aside and bowed towards them.

Pippin gaped wide-eyed around and walked without paying attention. Merry elbowed him in his side then at the far end of the hall the king appeared, sitting relaxed on his throne. He was dressed in highly decorated robes, a crown of entwined twigs sitting on his white-blond long hair. He seemed relaxed the way he sat, but his piercing blue eyes followed each of their steps and he was surrounded by an aura which suggested danger.

Legolas led the way and his steps become increasingly hesitant.

They formed a line in front of the king who hadn't moved so far. They all bowed as Aragorn did, but Legolas stepped forward and fell on a knee, bowing his head so his blond hair fell before his face like a curtain.

"Legolas", the cold voice of the elven king sounded. He was not in a good mood. Definitely not.

"My king", the elf answered, still not rising from the ground. And that's then the king erupted. He leapt to his feet.

"Legolas! I sent you to a COUNCIL the give information of the escape of the creature Gollum and you manage to get yourself in a quest to destroy the One Ring? You were practically begging to get killed, were you not? Have you not been in danger often enough to value the worth of your life? We needed your bow here! Here in Mirkwood! I have given you clear orders, orders you disobeyed! How am I supposed to trust you with the lives of my soldiers if I can't be sure you follow my orders? And this was not just a skirmish which forced you to take action immediately and yet you did not even send a note! You are supposed to protect this realm! You are supposed to stay here, within Mirkwood's borders! Your duty is to stand with our warriors, not go on a quest halfway across middle-earth, there no one has a chance to bring word to you? Stupid and foolish! You cannot stroll around wherever you please!" The kings boosting voice was so loud that it rang in the ears of the fellowship. The hobbits gulped, looking afraid at each other. Gimli who had grown to be a close friend to Legolas gasped. He gripped his axe and was on his way to stop the king when Aragorn grasped his shoulder and shook his head, a sad expression in his eyes. They were guests in this kingdom. As much as he regretted it: There was nothing they could do.

The king went on like this for several minutes. He wondered out loud if he fell on his head one time during his childhood years and never had fully recovered.

The fellowship all wanted to protest, but even Gandalf who was moving uncomfortably and wanted the nothing more than to stop the raging elven king did not dare to utter a single word. Angry as Thranduil was, it was not entirely unlikely that he would behead the wise wizard if the Istar had dared to speak up.

For a moment, the regal elf stopped to catch his breath.

Legolas used this moment to raise his head. Everyone could see the tear tracks on his noble face. Pain was written in his fair features.

"I am sorry", was all he said, sounding desperate.

For a moment, the great king Thranduil gaped open-mouthed at the elf who knelt before him, when suddenly all his anger vanished. He rushed forward, griped Legolas' arms and raised him to stand on his feet. Worriedly he looked in the younger elf's eyes when he sighed and enveloped the elf in his strong arms. Legolas buried his face against his king's chest and soon his body shock of tears and silent sobs, trembling under the king's protective touch. Silent, soothing words came over the king's lips.

Only minutes later Legolas seemed to remember that the entire fellowship was watching him and he tried to escape the strong protective arms. But the king just placed his palms at his cheeks, forcing him to meet his gaze. He leant forward until their foreheads touched and closed his eyes.

"I am so glad to have you back, Legolas", he whispered. "Don't you ever do this to me again! Never again! I love you, ion-nin. And I thank the Valar that I finally got you back!"

With his thumbs he stroke over Legolas cheeks, cleaning his face of the tears.

He then released the young elf and his expression became stern.

"You are dismissed", he told Legolas.

"But I –", the elf started but Thranduil raised his hand and silenced him.

"I said, you are dismissed!" the king stated again, his order sharp and cold. None of the fellowship could see the loving sparkling of his eyes which took away the coldness. Legolas bowed and went to leave.

As soon as their elven companion was out of sight, Thranduil turned back towards the fellowship.

"Welcome to Mirkwood!", he greeted as if nothing had happened beforehand. "All Middle-Earth is in your debt for destroying the One Ring of the Dark Lord."

He inclined his head slightly to show his respect.

Just then Aragorn began to hope he would get out of this hall alive, Thranduil's gaze met his. Instinctively he ducked.

"My servants will show you to your rooms and I would be delighted to see you at tonight's feast. And Estel, don't think for one second the fact that you are a king now will change anything!"

Aragorn visibly paled and anger flared up in Thranduil's eyes. But he contained himself. He gave the ranger his 'we-aren't-finished-yet' glare.

While his friends were welcomed by his father and when led to their rooms, Legolas' steps led him into the Royal Wing. He was happy to be back, so happy to have seen his father, to be welcomed lovingly even after all he had done in the past. He craved to be with his family, to be with his brothers and sisters, but at the same time, he was utterly afraid. He hadn't been as afraid as he was now than he had been battling the Uruk-Hai in Helm's Deep, he hadn't been as afraid as he had stood before the Black Gates of Mordor. His pace decreased as he neared the study of his oldest brother, Crown Prince Alcanor. The dark oaken wood of the door was smooth as ever. He stood there for several minutes, scared to knock. Then he raised his hand and sharply did so.

"Enter", the familiar voice of his brother sounded. For one moment Legolas was frozen and then he silently opened the door and stepped into the round room. Behind a desk In the middle of the room sat Alcanor, his eyes trained on the document before him.

Legolas moved uncomfortably.

"What is it?", Alcanor asked, only reluctantly raising his head. He stared at the slim form of his younger brother. For a moment Legolas could see a whole range of emotions moving behind the silver eyes: Relief, anger, worry, hope, love, annoyance, disbelieve. The next moment Alcanor's eyes were cold and unreadable.

"Legolas", he said and slowly, cautiously rose. "You are back."

Legolas nodded and watched his brother carefully coming closer. He felt tears threatening his eyes. Again! He hated crying and yet, today he simply could not stop it. All his emotions had been bottled up for so long. He had not expected to survive the war of the ring and had finally come to peace with some of his past.

"I am sorry", was all he managed to say before he bowed his head to hide the salty liquid. He then felt a hand touching his shoulder and as he raised his head, blue eyes met silver ones. All he wanted to do was to leap forward and hug his brother tight and never let him go again, but he dared not to do so.

"Legolas?" Alcanor asked softly and slowly pulled him closer. Legolas took this as an invitation and leant against his brother's broad chest, tears rolling over his cheeks. Immediately Alcanor's strong arms embraced him and pulled him closer.

"Oh, tithen Las!" he muttered and kissed Legolas blond hair.

"Don't let me go", Legolas begged with a little voice.

"Never", Alcanor smiled and tightened the embrace. "Never, muindor!"

They stayed like that for a long while, Legolas almost desperately clinging to the Crown Prince.

"What about we look for our brothers and sisters?" Alcanor asked calmly as soon as they parted. Together they went out of the room and strode towards Eyaenne's room, Thranduil's second child and oldest daughter. The eldest royal child opened the door without knocking, a huge grin plastered on his face.

Eyaenne wasn't alone, but Roewen, Alcanor's wife was with her. Seeing their eldest brother - who was usually annoyingly serious, smiling so broadly - they stood and raised an eyebrow enquiringly. Alcanor stepped aside and revealed Legolas who smiled hesitantly and unsure. The next moment all he could see was the wavy light brown hair of his sisters, who hugged him closely. He laughed and cried at the same time, so happy to be back.

As soon as they had welcomed Legolas properly they went to look for his other two siblings, Daeros, Arahen and Falin, who currently were in a meeting. They interrupted impolitely, but they did not care and none of the present elves dared to interfere with their reunion.

Strider couldn't help it. He was growing more and more nervous, afraid of the chat he would have to have with Thranduil. He had allowed Legolas to join them on a deadly mission, even though he had known that the elven Prince had been mentally unstable.

The hobbits noticed his nervousness but misinterpreted it. They were worried about Mister Legolas who hadn't shown up. Also, while the rooms for the members of the fellowship were all on the same floor, and indeed, in the same corridor, there was no room prepared for Legolas. As they asked a servant to why the elf wasn't staying with them, she just looked at them. When she shook her head and laughed silently before continuing walking down the corridor.

They were anxious to go to dinner, hoping to finally see Legolas again. They dressed in noble robes, Aragorn wearing his light blue, very kingly shirt with silver embroidery.

"Will Mister Legolas be there, Strider?", Sam asked then they met in the corridor outside their rooms. The man smiled down at the hobbit.

"I am pretty sure he will, Sam. You see, he hasn't seen his father in a long time and they were not very close before the quest, even though I know that Legolas loves his father very deeply. He will want to spend as much time with him as possible, especially considering what happened in the throne room." Aragorn smiled at the memory how Thranduil had enveloped his youngest child into his arms.

"But the king has invited his father to the feast too, hasn't he? He can't make him stay at home, can he? I would be sorry if he has to stay at home then his son has just returned and is dining with the king. I guess he would like to be there, would he not? Oh, please Strider tell me the king has invited him as well. If he hasn't I don't know if I even want to go! I do not want Mister Legolas to be unhappy and apart from his father after they haven't seen each other for so long!"

"Peace, Sam!", Aragorn laughed. "I promise, Legolas will be there. And Legolas' father will be there as well!"

Sam did not seem entirely convinced but nodded solemnly. Aragorn smiled a mischievous glint in his eyes. He was just waiting to see the faces of his friends then they figured out that Legolas was indeed an elven prince.

There was a light chatter in the halls then they entered. Many elves were already present and turned towards them as they entered. They bowed deeply and the music stopped for some seconds before returning more powerful. The cheeks of the hobbits flushed dark and only the beard hid an equal flash on the cheeks of a certain dwarf. An elf stepped closer.

"May I show you to your seats, my lords?", he asked politely and bowed while already gesturing towards the high table.

Aragorn nodded and followed swiftly and his friends hurried to follow his lead.

"Where is Mister Legolas?" Sam asked nervously the moment they were seated.

"The lad will come. You heard Aragorn. He'll be there. He probably needs to wash his hair before he does. Till it dries and he gets his silly braids into it might take some time", Gimli said grumpily.

"Rise for the king and the princes and princess of the woodland realm of Greenwood!" a loud voice announced.

"Oh, no, Legolas will be so sad to have missed this!", Pippin whispered loud enough for everyone at the table to hear. Aragorn chuckled.

The doors opened and side by sidestepped in king Thranduil and his youngest son. At his side was Prince Legolas. Both were dressed in regal robes of rich, dark fabric, shimmering green in the light. Legolas was the only one of the Royal children to have inherited his father's piercing blue eyes and his smile, even though not many knew of the last as Thranduil barely smiled. But now he did smile and he smiled broadly and happily. It was beautiful to see them appear in all their power and might. Alcanor, crown prince of Mirkwood, walked behind them a faint smile resisting his attempts to suppress it. His wife, Roewen, was at his side, her long brown hair plaited elegantly and her dress matching her husband's in colour. She was holding his hand tightly and smiling just as broadly. The Princes Daeros and Arahen walked behind them, wearing almost identical grins so many could easily confuse them to be twins. The second oldest of the royal children, Princess Eyaenne walked beside Falin, who was the youngest beside Legolas, her long dark curls knit together in a beautiful braid. Falin's silver hair - a heritage of their father - glowed dimly in the light.

Legolas eyes easily found those of his comrades and he broke into musical laughter as none of them had ever heard as he saw the expressions on their faces. Thranduil's attention was drawn towards the fellowship then, as well as the attention of Legolas' siblings. The king did not hesitate to join into the laughter and soon did all the elves in the room. Aragorn's and Gandalf's bubbling dark laughter was easily heard over the silver light music kind of it of the elves.

Thranduil suddenly silenced as well as his other children and they looked at their youngest brother and son who kept laughing, their eyes full of joy. Thranduil could not resist, he pulled Legolas in a tight embrace and softly kissed his temple. Legolas returned the embrace and his laughter slowly silenced.

"You should see your faces, mellyn-nin", he smiled.

"You are ... You are … You are …" Pippin was unable to finish his sentence.

"You are a Prince!", Sam cried out.

"Yes, I am", Legolas smiled.

"Why didn't you tell us!" Merry accused, standing up.

"The elven laddy a prince!", Gimli grumbled unbelievingly.

"Can you believe that? We travel with Master Legolas all this way and he doesn't even mention he is a prince! Not even once! Why didn't you tell us, Master Legolas?"

Before the elf could answer, Gimli interrupted

"You knew!", he accused Aragorn. "You knew! And you did not tell us! How could you not tell us?"

"I find it rather amusing, actually", Aragorn admitted and Gandalf agreed with a nod what earned him angry looks of four hobbits and one dwarf.

"And what is your excuse, laddy?"

"Laddy?", Alcanor interrupted indigently before his baby brother could answer.

"Laddy? Laddy 'Las?", Arahen smirked.

"Oh, don't you dare!", Legolas threatened, rolling his eyes. But the mischievous glint in the eyes of his family members told him they weren't going to drop that one. Legolas growled.

"I had thought you knew. I thought Estel would have told you. However, yes, I am a prince. May I introduce to you: My father, King Thranduil of the Mirkwood realm, and my siblings: Alcanor, Eyaenne, Daeros, Arahen, and Falin. And Alcanor's wonderful wife Roewen. My family." The last two words were spoken with so much love that no one dared to speak afterwards. Instead, Arahen and Daeros hugged Legolas tightly and Falin soon joined in the mission to squeeze the air out Legolas' lungs.

The wood elves, who had not seen the royal family this open and this happy in a long while, smiled, clapped and laughed.

"Okay, I think that's enough now" Legolas protested weakly. Then he wasn't released, he spoke up again: "No, honestly guys, don't hug me that hard, I cannot breathe!"

Please review!

This is the first story I ever wrote so tell me what you think ;)