The day of the celebration arrived and it appeared all of Mirkwood had been invited! There were long tables that filled the entire courtyard of the palace, around which sat hundreds of elves, eager to enjoy the boundless feast that was being provided for everyone. The minstrels played merry tunes and elven maids performed beautiful dances in time with the music. On one end of the courtyard and facing the festivities was a table on a raised platform for the royal family. There was a large throne-like chair in the middle for Thranduil and two smaller but equally ornate chairs for the two princes on either side of him.

Malorn could barely contain his excitement as he followed his family out to their seats and gazed in awe at the number of elves invited to welcome him home. He felt truly humbled by the experience. Servants had the family's chairs ready for them and they all took their seats with Thranduil in the middle. Malorn was slightly confused though when Legolas took the seat on his father's left hand and not his right. He had thought that the crown prince was to sit on the king's right hand, just as Elladan and Elrohir, Elrond's heirs, sat on his right. Neither his cousin nor uncle seemed to be concerned by the arrangements, however, so Malorn inwardly shrugged and took his seat on Thranduil's right hand. Maybe customs were different in Mirkwood than in Imladris, he decided.

As soon as the family was seated, the food was brought out in an endless stream and soon the courtyard was a pleasant hum of conversation, laughter, and music. The food was delicious and many a passerby stopped at the royal table to bow and introduce themselves to Malorn, an experience that warmed the young prince's heart greatly. The feasting itself lasted for hours until the final plate was cleared and then everyone turned to the minstrels, dancers, and bards that provided even more entertainment well into early evening. Many wonderful songs were sung, including the piece Lindir wrote celebrating Malorn's heroic deeds in Imladris and several that spoke of Malgath's loving and loyal heart before it had been broken.

As the sun set on the horizon, Thranduil stood from his seat and the courtyard immediately fell silent, all eyes turned to their king as they eagerly awaited whet he had to say.

"My friends", Thranduil began. "I am so honored that you have all graciously come to this most joyous celebration that honors my nephew, Malorn, who has come back to his rightful home and rightful place as prince of Mirkwood."

A round of applause went up from the crowds and Malorn blushed deeply at the attention.

Thranduil smiled down at him and then turned back to the crowds. "I hope you all have enjoyed yourselves as much as I know I and my family have enjoyed your company. As a kingdom under attack, we do not often have the opportunity to merely celebrate life as elves should. I am very thankful we have been provided this chance to do so."

A murmur of agreement ran through the crowd, all very happy to have had the chance to forget their troubles and enjoy themselves.

"However", Thranduil continued. "Unbeknownst to most of you, the purpose of this gathering is twofold. The first reason was of course to honor my nephew and the growth he has done in the past year to become the great elf he is today. We are so proud of him and all his accomplishments, many of which you have heard about tonight from the song that Master Lindir of Imladris wrote in Malorn's honor. Let us honor him once more this night."

Another round of applause and cheers erupted from the gathered crowds, turning Malorn's ears bright red again.

"Uncle…", he groaned, embarrassed.

"The second reason I have gathered so many of you here today is because I have a very important announcement to make", Thranduil continued. "My people, I have led and ruled this kingdom for centuries now and I love you all with every part of my fëa. Your loyalty and trust are the greatest gifts any ruler could ever be given. I know I speak for my son as well when I say we both love this, the greatest kingdom of elves to have ever existed, with all our hearts."

Legolas nodded beside him and cheers once again echoed throughout the forest.

"But, as of this day, my people, I am no longer your rightful king and Legolas is no longer your rightful crown prince."

A collective gasp rose from all the guests and immediately, shouts of protest began to sound from the elves. Malorn himself stared up at his uncle with shock written all over his face. Thranduil held up his hands for silence and everyone quieted to hear him out.

"It is true, people of Mirkwood. Malgath, my brother, was the eldest of the sons of Oropher and the throne would rightfully have been his upon our father's death. Unfortunately, because of Oropher's unfounded, unjust, and cruel exile of my brother, he was stripped of that right and cast away from the people he loved. Years later, he was found, but the actions of Oropher had wounded his mind too badly and Malgath was deemed unfit to rule a people. We tried for years to help him heal, but he was too far gone and died through a very tragic serious of events two years ago. Though his mind was injured and though he himself was unfit in his state of mind to rule as king of Mirkwood, that made him nonetheless my elder brother and rightful heir to the throne. Should he have been able to heal himself and become the elf he used to be, I would have immediately stepped down and given the crown to my brother, for I know without question he would have been a leader of unparalleled magnificence."

"Those events unfortunately did not come to pass, but Malgath has a son, who is of course Malorn. Just because Malgath was never able to sit on the throne himself, that does not mean that his son is any less his heir and that includes heir to the kingship of Mirkwood. Had Malgath been able to rule, I would have become crown prince only until Malorn was born, then he would have taken on that role and would have inherited the throne upon Malgath's death. People of Mirkwood, this wonderful kingdom means everything to me and it is so very important that it has a wise, honorable, and compassionate leader at its helm. I know this and unless I completely trusted another to be all that and more for Mirkwood, I would not simply hand over the kingship so anyone else. Malorn has proven to me beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is absolutely fit for this title and responsibility and I trust, respect, and love him wholly and completely. He has thrown off the false teachings his father pressed upon him for nearly ten years and had chosen of his own will to learn that which is right. He loves deeply and puts others ahead of himself. He loves this kingdom and he loves its people, his people. Thus, citizens of Mirkwood, this is why I am no longer your rightful king. It is Malorn who is next in line to rule this kingdom and I have all trust in him to do it in the best way possible."

At that moment, Galion came out bearing a purple satin pillow upon which sat an ornate golden circlet in the shape of mighty oak leaves. Each leaf had a different precious stone in the middle of it, with the front having a large green emerald. Thranduil carefully took the crown and turned to Malorn who was now on his feet beside him, his face a myriad of emotions and terribly pale.

"Malorn, this is the circlet of the crown prince", Thranduil explained. "It was worn by your father, then by me when Malgath was banished, and now it has been worn the last millennia by my son. This however, belongs on your head now, my nephew. Tradition states that an heir cannot take the throne before his or her hundredth begetting day, when they fully come of age, so in order to honor this tradition, I will remain king until then. On your hundredth begetting day, you will have your official coronation and become the ElvenKing of Mirkwood, the last upon the shores of Arda. Do you accept this abdication, my nephew?"

Malorn swallowed thickly and cut his eyes from the crown to his uncle to his cousin and back again. With the kingship in his hands, he could do so much and truly make the name of his father praised. He could be a good and worthy king and the people would talk about the son of Malgath who ruled the woodland realm. They would forget what his father had been and respect him again as they had before he had lost himself to heartbreak and grief.

But, the people of Mirkwood had been ruled for millennia by Thranduil and loved him as king and Legolas as prince. Both had led the kingdom with everything of them for so many years of their lives. They had already made the mistakes, learned from them, and grown as leaders because of it. Malorn didn't think it right to simply come in and replace them merely on the standing that he had been born Malgath's son. He had no experience in leading a people and he didn't think it was fair to make them suffer through poor decisions he would make with the best of intentions, when there was someone else available who would make the right choice to begin with.

Malorn felt a strong nudge in his fëa and he knew what the right choice was. He took the crown from Thranduil and stepped up to Legolas, placing the circlet on his cousin's brow instead.

"I do not accept your abdication, Uncle", Malorn said, turning back to Thranduil. "You and Legolas have led Mirkwood for years longer than I have even been alive in Arda. You love this realm and have sacrificed so much to be able to keep it safe and recover when hard times hit. Your people love you as well. You have earned their trust and loyalty by all you have given for them. If you and Legolas are willing to remain as you are, then I would not take rule of the people away from you."

Malorn turned to the awestruck crowd. "I did not come here to replace anyone nor take command of this beautiful realm of elves. I came merely because I wished to be with my family and receive their love while loving them back. If you would have me and my uncle thinks me worthy, I will accept the title of second prince in line. I wish to do my part and help Uncle Thranduil and Legolas lead Mirkwood without the need to replace them. If, Valar forbid, both should fall without another heir, I will do my best to rule in their stead. As long as they are here and healthy, though, I will not be the one to take away the kingdom they love and who loves them back."

Malorn bowed his head and stepped back and a deafening roar of cheers, shouts, and applause rose from the crowd. He suddenly felt arms around him and looked up to see Thranduil and Legolas embracing him, tears shining in their eyes.

"Malorn has spoken of his wishes and we honor them", Thranduil proclaimed. "I give you my nephew and second ElvenPrince of Mirkwood, Malorn Malgathion!"

The roar somehow increased in volume and across the crowd the chant of "Long Live the Prince!" was shouted. Malorn felt tears prick his own eyes and he looked up at his loving family that surrounded him.

"Are you alright, Cousin", Legolas asked softly.

"Aye, Legolas", Malorn murmured. "I am healed and I am home, my cousin."

THE END

Elvish Terms:

Fëa – An elf's spirit

Wow what a journey it's been! I hope it's lived up to expectations for all of you who waited so long for it. I've loved posting every single day and reading your wonderful reviews. I don't have anything else started for this AU just yet, but that's not to say I won't return to it someday and continue Malorn's story. In the meantime, I'll still be around posting whatever happens to enter my mind, hopefully a couple times a month at the very least. I hope to see you all around Fanfiction and I hope any of you who haven't posted anything yet will start sharing your words with the world. I'd love to go on some adventures of your creation too.

Well, Galu for now and I'll look forward to seeing you back on my next little ramble :) God bless!