Authors notes: This is the FINAL chapter! I wish to thank everyone who reviewed for their wonderful support and comments. I hope this story has been worthwhile and your final impressions would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks to all my readers for persevering and I hope you all enjoyed. Take Care. Morgan!

OO

Legolas was curled on his side with his eyes closed when Thranduil came across him. At first his heart jumped and he rushed forward but as soon as he sank to his knees he saw that Legolas's chest was rising and falling softly. He decided not to wake him and just delighted in watching his son rest. Legolas looked so peaceful, one pale hand curled slightly next to his face. The frown lines and wrinkles were smoothed in sleep.

Thranduil didn't know how long he sat there but as the first rays of the morning sun crested the horizon Legolas stirred. The young elf awoke slowly. Blinking his eyes and stretching Legolas slipped back to awareness. He opened his eyes and saw his father watching him with the most tender expression he could ever remember seeing from him.

"Father." Legolas whispered.

"I see you got the golden eyes you always wanted." Thranduil said with a smile. Legolas's brow furrowed in brief confusion and then realisation dawned. A long time ago when he was a small elfling Legolas had seen a picture of a beautiful golden horse that had golden eyes in one of the books in Mirkwood's extensive library. He had then proudly announced to his father that he wanted golden eyes and would spend his life trying to get them. Thranduil had responded with bemused encouragement. Legolas was surprised he could remember it.

"You like them?" he inquired curiously.

"They will take some getting used too. Do they feel strange?"

Legolas shook his head and winced as a piece of the matted hair pulled where it had tangled with the other strands. Thranduil leaned forward tentatively to un-tangle the knots. Normally he would have done it without thinking but he was wary now. His son had changed so much that Thranduil no longer felt comfortable taking such liberties. Legolas didn't move away and Thranduil began to gently weave apart the tangles.

"It needs a wash." Legolas said after a time. Thranduil had a look of intense concentration and Legolas flinched as he pulled slightly too hard.

"Sorry." The archer raised his hands and pushed his father away.

"Leave it. I will work on it later."

Thranduil sat back, he opened his mouth to speak but then closed it again fearing his question would not be welcomed considering the conversation that Elrond had with him earlier.

"I am well father." Legolas said a slightly exasperated expression upon his features. "Granted I am exhausted but I haven't really thought about the events or how they are going to change things so don't even ask."

Thranduil smiled. "If you had figured all that out by now I would be very worried. These things take time my son, maybe even years but I will be with you always as will Aeolian and Azian."

A look of intense sadness overcame Legolas. "Kahari." His voice cracked and a silver tear trailed down his cheek. Thranduil wiped it away.

"He died protecting Mirkwood Legolas. It was a brave and valiant death."

"None of that matters father. Don't you see he is dead? What does it matter whether it was brave or valiant?" Legolas replied in anguish.

"It matters a great deal and you as a prince and warrior of Mirkwood should understand this."

"Well I don't. I don't understand why he had to die. I don't understand why any of this had to happen? I don't understand why Mirkwood is always a target?" Legolas ranted angrily.

"The Valor works in mysterious ways."

"You do not believe in the Valor working in mysterious ways any more than I do."

"No I don't Legolas." Thranduil snapped angrily. "But the whys do not help they only hinder. I cannot answer those questions and I have many of my own just as unanswerable."

"I need answers." Legolas said desperately rising to his feet beginning to pace backwards and forwards in an exasperated fashion.

"I do not want to spend the rest of my days waiting for the Valor to strike my family or myself down for mysterious reasons."

Thranduil started towards his son wishing to offer some comfort.

"We all have to live with that Legolas but we should not dwell on that. Legolas I love you, your brothers love you as do your friends and whatever happens that will not die. Please my son, trust me."

Legolas began to sob and within a few paces Thranduil had enveloped Legolas in his arms as the elf began to cry, desperate, heaving sobs. Mixed between the sobs were jumbled words of what he had experienced, the fear, pain and shame. Thranduil held him tightly, he had never been so proud of his youngest son in his life.

O-O Two Days Later O-O

"We are gathered here this evening to mourn the passing of family and friends that have fallen in the defence of Mirkwood." Thranduil's voice stated his voice clearly carrying to all the gathered warriors on the plains between Mirkwood and the tower. By his side stood his three remaining sons all dressed as finely as they could be considering the circumstances. Legolas was stood tall next to Azian, his clothes plain but clean with a small silver band nestled in his hair marking his status. Next to him stood Elrond and the other lords and kings. The royal elves of Mirkwood had decided to gather together the survivors and hold a service of mourning. The elves had enchanted the area and small lamps hung around the outside creating a soothing atmosphere. Food and the little wine they discovered had been distributed and each of the leaders of the various states that had aided Mirkwood's fight had said prayers and rites associated with their people. Thranduil had then rose to his feet with his sons to express their gratitude. The king and his sons looked regal and powerful as a king and princes of Mirkwood should.

"On behalf of myself, my sons and the people of Mirkwood I thank you for the sacrifices you have made. I know nothing can ever repay the debt or bring back those that have been lost from us but we offer you our heartfelt gratitude. We hope you will accept this small token of thanks."

The three princes joined hands with each other and then Aeolian and Azian reached out to Thranduil.

"What are they doing?" Eomer whispered to Aragorn who shrugged his shoulders in response. Elrond and Gandalf looked equally confused.

The four royal wood elves began to recite a language so ancient that none of those watching recognised it. Their natural glow increased until it hurt to look at them. Suddenly a burst of light shot out from the quartet and for a moment time froze, everything stopped. The royal elves descended from their platform and moved quickly between the assembled people. What should have taken many hours took a mere moment and each soldier had one of the royal elves touch them on the shoulder and look them deep in the eyes.

The moment ended with Thranduil and his sons retaking their places. The world returned to speed and awestruck expressions greeted the quartet.

"It is not much but we have given each of you a moment of perfect peace that you shall be able to recall whenever you face peril again…" Thranduil smiled at the amazed looks he received. No one outside of the wood elves knew of this ability and he and his sons shared a look privately pleased at the response. The knowledge the outside world had of the wood elves barely scratched the surface.

"For the rest of the night I hope you will rest and share in the hospitality of our home. I thank you again and from this day onwards you will be known as friends of the wood elves."

O

After searching for a time Legolas had managed to find a small pool that was unoccupied. Sitting by the pools edge he thought back to the nights events. After the ceremony he had been taken aside by Aragorn and Gimli who had wanted words. Legolas had answered their questions without answering them at all. He had then sought solitude. The world was however not prepared to let him rest just yet.

"Here." A soft voice stated and a silver chain appeared in front of his eyes. Legolas looked up to see Aeolian stood in front of him.

"Take it." His elder brother said and Legolas took the chain holding it in the palm of his hand. He didn't recognise it.

Aeolian sat down next to his little brother close enough that their shoulders touched.

"Kahari gave it to me when I was posted as captain of Mirkwood's forces."

A panicked expression overcame Legolas's face and he thrust the chain back at Aeolian. The elf looked surprised.

"I do not deserve this. Take it back."

"What do you mean you don't deserve it?" Aeolian asked confused.

"He died because of me."

"Why do you entertain such thoughts? Did you cause the wound that killed him? Did you order him to be killed?"

"No…but…" Legolas began stuttering.

"Well then stop thinking like that. No one blames you and neither would Kahari."

"But…"

"No buts I don't want to here them, so take this and I will hear no more about it."

Legolas sighed and rested his head on his brother's shoulders.

"Well aren't you cute together." Azian commented as he joined them. Thranduil followed and they sat together in a circle.

"There was a time when bribery and coercion were the only ways I could get you together in the same place without some sort of argument happening. I shall remember this forever."

"We use sarcasm too much." Legolas murmured and Azian chuckled.

"We have many years to work on that." Aeolian said as he handed the chain back to Legolas who clasped it tightly. The four sat quietly in comfortable silence.

"I was going to have a memorial in the private gardens for Kahari tomorrow."

"We should have a feast and get drunk." Azian commented. "That would be more suited for him."

All four smiled. "We could have that too. The palace needs a bit of work first maybe at the summer solstice." Thranduil said. "What do you think Legolas?"

There was no response from the youngest elf. Aeolian peered down at him to see that he was asleep and for the first time in ages with his eyes open.

"Do you think he will be alright father?" Azian asked as Aeolian leant back against a tree and tried to get Legolas more comfortable without waking him. Luckily for him Legolas was deeply asleep and Aeolian was able to place his head in his lap gently smoothing the hair in a rhythmic fashion.

"Over time yes but this is so different from anything before. No elf has survived what Legolas has gone through. I am in new territory and Legolas has changed. But he is strong and he has us. He will not fall."

"No he won't for we won't allow it." The three focused their eyes on the prince who shifted slightly and a small smile appeared on his face. Legolas would survive and he would emerge stronger for the royal family of Mirkwood would not allow anything else to happen. Mirkwood would recover as would the wood elves with the four leading them proudly. As it has been said wood elves were not easily defeated.

OO