AID FROM A FRIEND

This story is written as a sequel to my story Coldness. It can be read without reading it first; I suspect that there will be some mild confusion though, and you will not be able to understand, at least in the beginning, the characters' depths and pasts.

Information:

This story will take place in the year 2515 of the third age.

Characters:

Thranduil (His wife died giving birth to Kirion – Coldness)

Legolas (born TA 1037)

Faneth (Legolas' wife)

Maliel (Their daughter – born TA 2510)

Hithel (Legolas' younger sister – born TA 2032)

Gwaur (Hithel's husband)

Kirion (Legolas and Hithel's younger brother – born TA 2493)

Fanor (Faneth's father)

Gilrin (Faneth's mother)

Ecphen (Royal Healer of Mirkwood)

Sarnor (Captain of the Mirkwood forces, rank just below Legolas)

Legolas' old team:

Húron, Gruinor, Osbon, Ecthel, Thand, Amath, Callon, Roben, Pengon, Hiwon, Maer and Taenor

Warriors trained intensely by Legolas, elite team in Mirkwood.

*Aewon, Legolas' sworn brother, was also part of this team. He was killed in Coldness.

Enjoy!

O

Chapter one – A letter

"Ada!" Maliel squealed laughing as she bolted into their sitting room and threw her arms around him.

Legolas chuckled and lifted her into his arms. He gazed down into the icy blue irises that looked so much like his own except for being completely open and readable, innocent. Faneth had once again braided her auburn hair and tied small blue ribbons at the ends of both, just the way Maliel loved it.

"Hello gorgeous." Legolas greeted and kissed her cheek. "What is my beautiful daughter up to today?"

"Nana told me to go tell you that she was going to bring lunch up in a minute." Maliel said breathlessly. She had a proud note in her voice over being allowed to deliver a message. "She said that you've been working too much and need a break."

"Thank you for telling me." Legolas smiled, "How about we clean this up then, so we can sit down." He gestured at the countless of scattered papers covering the table; there were even a few on the couch. Maliel nodded with a chuckle so he set her down and they immediately began gathering all the papers.

His daughter collected them carefully after being told countless of times that she shouldn't ruin them because they were important, just like she had been instructed not to touch his weapons because they were dangerous.

When Maliel came to him and carefully handed him a small pile of gathered papers with both hands, he smiled and thanked her before adding them to his own pile and standing to put the pile in the drawer of his desk. Maliel swelled with pride and used a few moments skipping happily around the room. Legolas smiled and shook his head before rushing to her and lifting her high into the air, spinning her around. Maliel squealed with glee and held tightly on to his forearms.

When he had rendered her suitably dizzy Legolas stopped and held her close to him instead. Maliel giggled, her eyes were disorientated, and clung to his tunic. At that moment the door opened and Faneth stepped in with his younger brother Kirion who was carrying a tray of food.

"Nana!" Maliel giggled. Legolas set her down on the floor and watched with a smile on his lips as she staggered over to Faneth.

Faneth chuckled as well and scooped her into her arms directing a playful glare towards her husband, "Did your Ada do this to you my poor daughter?"

Legolas stepped up to them and laid his arm around Faneth's waist kissing her gently. "Good day to you too." He smiled to her. Faneth's glare was replaced with a smile.

"Yep, don't mind me I'll just bring the food and be on my way." Kirion said feigning indignation.

Legolas laughed and threw himself at Kirion ruffling his hair. Kirion immediately struggled to get out of his grip. "Valar Legolas, control yourself I'm twenty-three!" He outburst and finally managed to get out of Legolas' grip. Immediately he tried to push his hair in the right place again. His emerald green eyes narrowed as he glared at his elder brother. Legolas held up his hands as a sign of surrender.

Maliel and Faneth were laughing at the scene.

"Why don't you join us Kirion since you were so helpful in bringing the food?" Legolas offered, "I can see that there is more than enough."

The irritation in Kirion's eyes melted away and he smiled, "Sure. I wouldn't miss a meal with my favorite niece."

"I'm your only niece." Maliel giggled and ran to him, begging to be lifted. He picked her up and sat down on the couch with her.

Legolas stepped up to Faneth again and placed an arm around her waist. She sighed contently and leaned her head against his shoulder.

"I missed you this morning." Faneth breathed.

Legolas kissed her hair, "I'm sorry. I got called away urgently at dawn. The rain last night flooded one of the settlements close to the forest river and they had to be evacuated and brought here. Ada and I had to arrange the pickup and reassure them when they arrived."

"Were they all right?" Faneth asked, her healer instincts kicking in. It had been a long time since she had been on duty in the healing wing since she had become Crown Princess and had to take care of Maliel, but she had never forgotten it. During their marriage there had already been plenty of times where she had taken care of his injuries.

"They were wet, but uninjured." Legolas smirked, "Come, I'm starving." They started moving over to Kirion and Maliel who were already eating.

"I bet you are because you didn't eat breakfast." Faneth accused and jabbed her finger into his ribs.

Legolas dodged her attack chuckling and sat down in one of the armchairs. He took a plate and gathered some food on it. Faneth did the same after shaking her head.

Just as he had moved the first piece of food to his mouth a knock sounded on the door. Legolas sighed and put the food down again, he sat up straighter and stared for a moment at the door, immediately looking every inch the prince he was.

"It's open." He called gently to the person seeking entrance.

The handle went down and Sarnor stepped into the room. He smiled when he saw the gathered family, but then looked seriously at Legolas.

When Legolas got to his feet and walked over to him, Sarnor held out a missive he had had in his hands. Legolas took it and gazed at it.

"This just arrived by bird from Rivendell." Sarnor said, "It was their fastest bird."

"It's from Glorfindel." Legolas muttered as he studied the unbroken seal that held the message together. He held his finger up to Sarnor without taking his eyes off of it, "Stay here for a minute until I'm sure it's not a call of war or something."

"Of course my Prince." Sarnor responded dutifully.

Legolas walked to his desk and leaned against the wooden surface before breaking the seal and unrolling the message. Faneth kept a trained eye upon her husband and only she was able to perceive the subtle darkening in his eyes and the feeling of sadness that welled up inside of him. She stood up and walked over to him, placing her hand gently on his arm to give him support.

Legolas briefly looked up from the letter at her touch, but then concentrated on the words once more. It was a long letter, written in Glorfindel's elegant handwriting; there was something about it though, faint signs that said that the letter was written in haste and as a last resort. She had to force herself not to read it, at least until she got Legolas' permission.

At last Legolas looked up, to the others it wouldn't seem like he had been affected by what he had read but she could feel that he had been shaken by its contents. "Thank you Sarnor." He said with a smile, "No call of war fortunately, you can leave."

Sarnor smiled in return, "No problems." Then he bowed and left the room.

I'll tell you later. Legolas' voice sounded inside her head.

Faneth nodded hesitantly, Are you all right?

Yes.

Legolas rolled the scroll together once more and placed it in his drawer before turning back to the table where his daughter and little brother were sitting. Kirion was looking at him with a suspicious glint in his eyes and Maliel looked at him innocently with a slightly tilted head.

"Who sent a letter Ada?" Maliel asked. It was just like her to be curious about everything.

Legolas smirked and walked back to his seat, Faneth did the same. "An elf from Rivendell called Glorfindel." Legolas answered, "You haven't met him before, but he is a friend of mine."

Maliel gaped at him, "The balrog slayer…?"

Legolas chuckled, "Yes, if you meet him I am sure he will be delighted to tell you lots of stories." He then turned to Kirion, "Do you remember him?"

Kirion nodded, "A little. He hasn't been here since Maliel's birth has he?"

"No, he hasn't." There was a sad note to Legolas' voice as he said this.

"Why?"

Legolas exhaled deeply and looked thoughtfully at Maliel for a moment weighing if it was a story she should hear. Faneth saved him by asking Maliel if they should make a plate for grandpa and bring it to him, which Maliel readily agreed to.

When they were gone Legolas turned to Kirion, "Rivendell is ruled by Elrond Peredhil and his family. His wife Celebrian, his twin sons Elladan and Elrohir, and his daughter Arwen, you know this right?" Kirion nodded so Legolas continued. "A year before Maliel was born Celebrian was captured by orcs on the misty mountains while travelling home from a trip to Lothlorien." Legolas' voice was slightly bitter as he told the story and his eyes darkened with past memories.

Kirion looked shocked at him.

"Elladan and Elrohir frantically rode out to save her but by the time they arrived Celebrian had been hurt so badly that she had lost the will to live in Middle Earth. About a month before Maliel's birth she sailed to Valinor." Legolas said, "Glorfindel has not been here for some time because his lords are still grieving and both they and Rivendell need his support."

"The time around Maliel's birth… this was why you traveled constantly from Rivendell to Mirkwood." Kirion asked.

"Yes, I rode back and forth to help them." Legolas smiled sadly, his eyes staring into space. "They are like a second family to me and they always have been. Glorfindel and I worked together to keep them from falling apart, but I had to leave two weeks before Maliel's birth and since everything has been so hectic since then I haven't had the time to visit them. I frequently get updates from Glorfindel though."

"And this was just another update?" Kirion asked suspiciously. He wasn't good at reading his elder brother, the only ones who managed that to perfection were Faneth and Thranduil, but he had noticed Faneth's movements.

Legolas looked at him and Kirion suddenly felt very young as he was drawn into Legolas endless icy blue eyes. He almost always felt young in Legolas presence but now he was extra aware of it. Legolas was over two thousand years older than him and had practically raised him after their mother had died and Thranduil had gone maniac for a period.

He didn't remember much from that time, but there were sometimes still that he would wake up from a nightmare where his father's face screamed that it was his fault. It was almost impossible to imagine now after living for years with his father supporting him and always being there for him when he needed it despite having to rule the kingdom.

"Yes it was." Legolas answered calmly, but with an edge to his voice that clearly said this is all the information you're going to get, so don't argue needlessly.

Kirion nodded and started eating once more. Legolas soon followed his example, looking so much like a ravenous animal that Kirion couldn't hold back his laughter. It was these moments with his brother that he loved, the moment where Legolas would loosen his prince-façade and be completely casual and …reachable. He wouldn't deny though that he held a great admiration for his elder brother, especially the authority he held.

The door swung open and Faneth walked in followed by Thranduil, who was walking in a graceful and kingly fashion despite having his granddaughter perched on his shoulders. He ducked when he walked through the door so Maliel wouldn't knock her head into the doorframe. The king smiled when he saw his two sons sitting by the table eating.

With a mischievous glint in his eyes and brought forward a hand that had previously been hidden by his robes. He was holding a stack of papers and waved them playfully towards Legolas.

"You've got to be joking." Legolas groaned, but nevertheless reached forward and took the stack from him.

Thranduil chuckled and set Maliel down on the couch before sitting down himself. Love shone unhindered through his blue eyes as he gazed upon his family, but especially his granddaughter. Maliel had stolen the king's heart and used it to her full advantage much to Legolas and Faneth's amusement and concern.

Legolas scanned the headlines of the papers he had been given, but when he had done that he walked up to set them on his table saving them for later. They were all about the flooding that morning.

As the others started talking Legolas found his mind returning to the contents of the letter and worry welled up inside him. When he had left to be here at Maliel's birth him and Glorfindel had managed to bring the family to a point where they were starting to at least function properly again. Arwen, of course, had moved to Lothlorien but if that made her happy then it was fine. The twins and Elrond hadn't had that option and neither would they have taken it if they had. They were too stubborn.

The letters from Glorfindel after he had left had told him that they were still on the mend, but now he had a sinking feeling that Glorfindel had been lying to him so as to not force him to leave Maliel. This letter had seemed desperate, as if Glorfindel had run out of options and therefore had had no other choice than to beg for his help.

"If I want to be back by the time Faneth gives birth than I have to leave soon." Legolas said from his position beside Glorfindel on the balcony. They were watching the peaceful night sky as a break from taking care of the ailing family. "My heart tells me to leave, but it also says to stay…"

"You can't miss the birth of your firstborn." Glorfindel exclaimed, "You're not even from Rivendell, this should not be your responsibility. Once they come to themselves they will feel guilty for keeping you away from your wife in this time. Faneth will need you, and I know that you are nervous about this birth; it will not do to have you losing your mind here because word can't get to us from Mirkwood in less than three days."

Legolas sighed deeply, "I should not be nervous, Faneth is healthy and all is well with the baby…"

"The last time someone close to you gave birth she died." Glorfindel said, "It's natural for you to be anxious, especially when you aren't there with her, which brings us back to the point. Go back to Faneth, Legolas. I can handle things here with Erestor's help. Trust us. I promise I will keep you updated and send for you if it is absolutely necessary."

Legolas still looked over the valley of Rivendell with conflicting emotions. He still felt sorrow from Celebrian's passing to the west, and remembered how he had promised her to help her family. He should really stop making promises like that; they always ended up binding him to a painful duty…

Glorfindel reached over and clasped Legolas' shoulder and looked deeply into his eyes to emphasize his words. "Go home Legolas, we cannot bear to keep you here away from those you love more than anything. Celebrian would not have wanted you to stay if it meant keeping you from your role as a father. Prioritize your child higher than any of us here. It's dangerous for you to stay away from Mirkwood for too long as well. The barrier has already been attacked twice, Dol Guldur can feel that it's weakened and it takes more strength from you to uphold it so far away from home. Why did you not give the control to your father while you were here?"

"Even if I am here the barrier is still stronger than if he holds it. My power has gotten strong enough to make it impossible for Dol Guldur to break it when I am close, therefore they take this chance to give it everything they have." Legolas smirked, "Bastards."

Glorfindel chuckled. Just earlier that day he had come upon Legolas leaning heavily against one of his bedposts with a pasty skin tone. It had taken a lot of strength from him to manipulate and strengthen the barrier of energy he had up in Mirkwood when he was in Rivendell, of course he had warded off the attack but Glorfindel had tucked him straight into bed demanding that he slept.

Having finished the food he had on his plate Legolas reached over to the tray and grabbed one of the apples. Absentmindedly he bit into it, savoring the taste. The rain was still dropping from the heavens outside but it was a much slower rate than earlier. It would probably stop soon.

O

Later that evening Legolas stood leaning against the frame of the window in their sitting room. His original rooms, consisting of a bedroom, sitting room and a bathroom had been reconstructed to accommodate Faneth and Maliel as well. He had never lacked in space, but an extra room had been made on the opposite side of the sitting room for Maliel and he now had an office next to his father's so Maliel and Faneth could stay in the sitting room when he had work.

Legolas looked out on the dark forest and breathed in the fresh rain-washed air. The rain had stopped that evening.

There was dark in the room except for a couple of candles casting a warm hue. Maliel was asleep and Faneth was reading on the couch periodically gazing up at him waiting for him to tell her what was bothering him.

Legolas took a sip of the wine glass he held in his hand. At that moment Faneth apparently got tired of waiting because she closed her book and walked up to him wrapping her arms around his waist and leaning her head against his back. The tenseness in Legolas evaporated at her touch and he breathed deeply.

"Glorfindel did not bring good tidings." Legolas said softly after a while.

"I know." Faneth replied, "You would not be this conflicted about good tidings."

Legolas chuckled and then nodded his head towards his desk, "His letter is in the first drawer."

Faneth gave him and gentle squeeze before letting go and walking over there. She opened to drawer and fished out the letter. She unrolled it and read.

O

Legolas.

First of all how is your family doing? I reckon Maliel has grown up some. I wish that I could meet her sometime, but it is not yet time for me to leave Rivendell.

I'm sorry Legolas, I made a promise to myself that I would handle this and not draw you away from your family but I find the situation slowly spinning out of my control. Elrond is still not as strong as he once was and it has only worsened this past year because of the twins.

Elladan and Elrohir finally overcame their shock and realized truly that they weren't going to see their mother for a long time last year. After that they started being consumed by their own misplaced guilt for not saving her. I have of course tried to speak with them but they will not listen to me. That guilt inside them has transformed into the need for revenge. The past year their hatred for orcs has strengthened unhealthily and they have been hunting the beasts ever since.

They are rarely home and when they are they have changed and become restless. In response to this and with the constant worry Elrond's condition has worsened as well. I fear the defenses around Rivendell can feel that the lord is failing and have weakened. You know of what I speak.

I have tried explaining everything to the twins, but I cannot get through to them and therefore I have run out of options. Perhaps Elladan and Elrohir will listen to you since you have been in a similar situation and have always been their friend.

…I'm sorry to ask this of you but please come to Rivendell. You can bring your family if you wish, then I will get the chance of meeting the lovely Maliel as well.

Your friend, Glorfindel of Rivendell

O

Faneth lowered the letter and looked at Legolas. Legolas had turned away from the window and was now watching her intently. She could feel the want to go inside him and she knew that he would never abandon the twins; it just wasn't in his nature. With a gentle smile she walked into his open arms and gazed out the window as well. She could feel Legolas' aura responding to the trees outside with a power that she would never truly understand but still comforted her.

"So, I guess I'll be seeing my parents again soon. It's high time to introduce them to Maliel as well, they haven't seen her since she was two years old." Faneth said and a smile lit up in her lips when she felt the relief inside Legolas.

Legolas buried his face in the nook of her shoulder and his lips traveled to her neck to place a kiss there. "Thank you." He said softly.

Faneth chuckled and reached up to place her palm against his cheek. She twisted her head so she could kiss him on the forehead. "You're welcome, but I think you should speak with your father as well. Are the roads safe enough to bring our daughter unharmed to Rivendell?"

"I'll protect her." Legolas said.

"I don't doubt that you will." Faneth smiled, "I trust you. Now go and talk to your father. I will go to bed."

Legolas kissed her and said without losing touch with her lips "Don't wait up for me." His unreadable blue eyes captured her golden ones and held them for a while, before kissing her again and drawing away.

He walked over to his desk and picked up the letter before heading out of the door and across the hall to his father's bedroom. The guards at the entrance to the royal wing nodded to him, and he inclined his head in return. After knocking gently and hearing the permission to enter from inside, he pressed down the handle and confidently stepped into the large suite. The king's layout was almost identical to his original, sitting room, bathroom and bedroom.

Thranduil was reclining in the couch before the fireplace with a glass of wine in his hand. He smiled when he saw Legolas and gestured for him to join him. Legolas sat down on the couch and casually swung his feet up on it so he was leaning against the armrest. He handed his father the letter from Glorfindel before tilting his head until it was lying against the backrest.

Thranduil put down his wine glass to take the letter and open it. He looked questionably at Legolas before starting to read it. His eldest son's eyes revealed nothing as usual, but he made a flowing movement with his hand encouraging him to go on.

Thranduil's eyes turned more troubled the further he got in the letter. When he was done he stared thoughtfully into space for a moment while taking some sips of the wine.

"Do you intend to go?" Thranduil asked after a minute.

"Yes." Legolas answered, "I can't ignore this, Glorfindel seems desperate. Faneth thought it was a good chance to visit her parents and let Maliel meet them."

Thranduil nodded, "I would rather you stayed here safely, but I understand why you must leave. Just remember that you're welfare is just as important as the twins' is. You tend to overwork yourself in these situations."

"They're my friends, if I can help them by overworking myself a little then it will be worth it."

"They did not come to help you when your mother died." Thranduil pointed out. "You don't owe them anything."

"I do not need to owe them to help them." Legolas retorted, "I did not ask them to come after mother died, and they did not know what was going on. If someone sent them a letter like Glorfindel did now then I am sure they would have come galloping immediately. They are not used to death or goodbyes, this came as a shock to them."

Thranduil exhaled, "I know. You're a good friend, but I can't help but worry about my son."

"I'll be fine." Legolas smiled gently, "This is Rivendell we're talking about."

"You're prone to attracting trouble." Thranduil said matter-of-factly, and then gained a thoughtful look. "I will have your team escort you all the way there and all the way back again at least I'll know you are well protected."

"Can you make do without them taking the southern patrol?" Legolas asked.

"It's about time the elves you've been training try going down there without the others to supervise." Thranduil said, "Do you think they can handle it?"

Legolas nodded, "Yes, I think they're ready."

"Take Kirion as well." Thranduil added, "He has been longing to travel and the twins were fond of him. Perhaps he can help."

Legolas nodded again. "Can you manage without me here?"

"Sarnor can take over the patrols." Thranduil said, "I admit that there will be a lot more work, but I can handle it. This is thankfully not a busy season. How long do you plan on staying?"

"I don't know." Legolas said, "As long as it takes."

"Can you handle the barrier for that long?" Thranduil asked, a worried glint found its way into his blue eyes.

The barrier. A sphere made of energy formed as a giant spider web over the hall of Mirkwood and allowed no enemy forces to spy on them nor any formless darkness to enter inside it's boundaries. Legolas had taken over its managing because his talent for utilizing the energy inside him exceeded his father's.

"I can handle it." Legolas reassured.

Thranduil studied him for some time as if trying to assess the truthfulness of his words. In the end he just nodded his consent and asked, "When are you going to leave?"

"As soon as possible."

Thranduil smirked, he should have known. Legolas had always liked to act quickly; he was quick at thinking things through and coming to the right decision, but even quicker at making things happen thereafter. When Thranduil had expressed a need for Legolas to do something, like taking control of a patrol or gathering information, Legolas would just gather his things, jump on his horse and ride away to do it.

"The day after tomorrow." Thranduil said. He laughed when he saw the impatience in the way Legolas' finger started taping his leg. "Some will need longer time to pack than you and for some it is their first time away from home." Legolas seemed to accept this because he leaned his head against the backrest again and gazed calmly into the fire in the fireplace.

Thranduil also got more comfortable and picked up his wine glass again. "Did you finish the paperwork?" He asked softly.

Legolas nodded, "I'll bring it to your office tomorrow morning."

They stayed there on the couch in comfortable silence, watching the colorful flames in the fireplace. Thranduil watched Legolas more than he watched the fire and was therefore able to see the sadness that flickered through his eldest son's eyes as he stared into the flames.

He knew that losing Celebrian so soon after losing his own mother was another blow to Legolas and he had taken it harder than he had showed outwardly. He had visited the family countless of times, whenever he had time, throughout that period. He had even been there right before and after she sailed.

Faneth had been immensely supportive through this time despite her own pregnancy, which made Thranduil extremely thankful that Legolas had found someone like her. He hadn't known Faneth that well when they had been married, but he had come to appreciate her over the fifteen years that followed. She was always there to help and utterly selfless, just like Legolas. They were the couple to go to if one needed help and both had done a terrific job raising Maliel.

Legolas sighed softly and closed his eyes, barring them from Thranduil's view. Thranduil smiled and reached out to brush his hand across Legolas' cheek. The light touch made Legolas open his eyes.

"Go to sleep." Thranduil said, "I pulled you up at the crack of dawn, don't let me keep you from sleep tonight as well."

"You're one to talk." Legolas chuckled, "You were up at the crack of dawn as well, what are you still doing up?"

"Why don't you both just go to sleep!" The shout came from Kirion's room, just beside Thranduil's suite.

Thranduil and Legolas glanced at each other and burst out laughing. They heard Kirion's door open and his footsteps stomping over to Thranduil's room before the door opened and Kirion stepped inside in his nightclothes with a halfway sleepy and halfway annoyed look in his eyes.

"Valar, do you two never sleep?" He groaned as he plopped into the nearest armchair and rubbed his eyes.

"You try having children and you'll figure out how much sleep you can survive without." Thranduil chuckled. "Just ask your brother, he's the master at not sleeping."

Kirion turned his eyes to Legolas, who shrugged. "How long have you gone without sleep?"

"A month with just a few hours here and there." Legolas answered.

Kirion's jaw dropped and he stared incredulously at his brother. Legolas' icy blue eyes had golden flecks from the flames in the fireplace and showed calmness and above all strength, but were otherwise unreachable.

"What…?" Kirion gaped, "Why? When…?"

"Twenty-three years ago." Legolas answered.

Kirion's mouth snapped shut and he looked guiltily at Legolas. "Oh."

Legolas chuckled at the unbarred emotions in Kirion's eyes and reached out to place his hand on Kirion's forearm. "Don't feel guilty." Legolas said comfortingly, "It was mostly work and Hithel keeping my up anyway. You were a very agreeable baby, thank the Valar."

Kirion nodded. He once again felt young; he didn't even know half of Legolas' life… Of course he had asked Legolas for stories, but Legolas had never talked about anything painful. He had never told him what happened when he was young and their father had changed. He knew that he had Legolas to thank for a lot of things, but the most of this he had heard from Hithel and it hurt him slightly that Legolas wouldn't trust him enough to tell him, that he still saw him as a child. Hithel and Gwaur had moved back to Gwaur's house so he couldn't ask her.

As if sensing his feelings Legolas gave his forearm a squeeze before shifting back to his original position.

"Things are going badly in Rivendell." Legolas then said. Kirion's attention focused on his elder brother. "I got this letter earlier" He handed it to Kirion, who read it after a gaining a wordless permission from Legolas. His brows furrowed and worry flooded into his open emerald eyes at the contents.

"This sounds bad." Kirion said slowly, as soon as the words were out of his mouth he punched himself over how stupid they sounded. He held the letter out to Legolas.

Legolas nodded, and took the letter. "That's why I am going to Rivendell to help them. Faneth and Maliel are coming with me. Do you want to come?"

Kirion's eyes widened, "Me?" He asked pointing at himself. Legolas smiled and nodded. Kirion glanced at his father and after seeing the calmness in his eyes nodded vigorously. "Of course I will come. When do we leave?"

"In five minutes." Legolas answered stoically.

Thranduil reached over and smacked him over the head. Afterwards he smiled to Kirion and said, "The day after tomorrow. Legolas' team will escort you there safely."

There was clear excitement in Kirion's eyes. His youthful energy almost had him bouncing up and down on the chair.

Legolas started to smile, but at that moment he snapped his head towards the door as his elven hearing picked up a cry come from across that hall and felt distress come form his link with his daughter. He heard an 'Ada!' leaving her lips and almost got up.

I have her.

He then heard Faneth say inside his mind.

"You aren't going to her?" Thranduil asked when he sat back down.

"Faneth has her." Legolas answered calmly, "She'll bring her to me if it's necessary."

Maliel had inherited a bit from both of her parents. She had nightmares, just like her father, but she didn't have them as often as he did and for that he was thankful. It was a funny thing how the mind worked.

After five minutes of fruitlessly trying to calm down her daughter Faneth gave up and walked across the hall to Thranduil's bedroom where she knew Legolas was. Maliel was calling for her father under her sobs, just like she always did when she had nightmares. She needed to feel safe and unfortunately that was Legolas' department.

She walked into the room and Legolas immediately came over from where he was sitting on the couch. He rested his hand on Maliel's back and called her name. As soon as Maliel realized who it was she shifted her arms so they were wrapped around Legolas' neck and buried her face in his shoulder. Legolas wrapped his arms around her and lifted her out of Faneth's arms already singing softly to her and pouring calmness into his link with her.

He caught his brother and father's eyes and inclined his head to say goodnight. They nodded in understanding. Faneth said goodnight softly, and then held the door open for Legolas and Maliel who was finally calm.

Legolas walked into their rooms and onward into Maliel's. He gently laid her down on her bed and pulled the sky-blue covers over her, never completely relinquishing his hold. He kneeled down beside the bed so he could keep the arm that was lying under her shoulders, half-embracing her, in place and brought his other hand up to wipe away her tears.

"Hey there beautiful." He smiled softly, and looked into her teary blue eyes. "I'm here now, there is nothing to be afraid of. I'll protect you forever."

"…You promise?" Maliel sniffed.

Legolas pressed a kiss against her forehead, "I promise. Forever and always."

Maliel nodded tearfully and looked at him with big blue eyes. "Story…?" She asked innocently.

Legolas smiled, "Story." He confirmed, "We're going to go to Rivendell together, you me, Nana and Kirion. We're going to go see your grandparents. We will go through forests and over mountains and you'll ride with your Nana and me." He started describing the peaceful valley of Rivendell for her and watched as her eyes slowly lost their focus. Once her breathing was even and he felt peace come from his link with her he stopped and brushed his hand over her hair, planting a gentle kiss on her forehead.

He then stood up and turned to Faneth who was leaning against the doorframe with a smile on her lips. She held out her hand to him and he took it while kissing her.

"I can never live up to her Ada." Faneth smirked.

Legolas smiled, "You're irreplaceable to her. She loves you."

"We're both irreplaceable to her. She adores you." Faneth said and kissed him back, before closing the door to Maliel's bedroom and leading him over to theirs. She lay down on the bed and waited for Legolas to get ready. When he returned he got into the bed and pulled her close.

"Goodnight." He murmured tiredly.

Faneth chuckled and rested her head on his chest. "Goodnight my love."