Disclaimer: Not mine.

AN: This should teach me not to be overly optimistic in my assessments. *sighs*

Thanks to fanpainter, Thranduils Heart And Soul, Silivren Tinu, sokkergurl, RadioactiveSquirrel, Ocean's Nocturne of the COCA, mikinyet, yenneffer, Cushion and Ohtar Vicky for reviewing the last chapter.

And a very big thank-you to everyone who reviewed or put this fic on their favourites list or story alerts. *hugs* All the encouragement is what kept me going!

Epilogue

Thranduil, half-awake, gazed wearily out of his study window at the sky, which was just lightening to the grey that came before dawn. He waited for the familiar morning sounds: the birds beginning their song, hoofbeats in the courtyard as the night patrols returned to the palace, soft footsteps from the antechamber as Istuion brought in any scout reports that had been delivered overnight.

He knew it was going to be a difficult day. It was the day on which, ten years ago, he had felt Lindariel die – and it was the first time he would have to spend the day alone. Legolas was away on patrol.

Thranduil sighed. The presence of his son always made him feel closer to Lindariel, as though she had left something of herself in their child. Legolas felt his father's sorrow keenly, and he usually tried to avoid staying away for too long, but it could not always be done. The Elven-king, who was used to marking this most terrible of anniversaries with the comfort of his son's head resting on his knee and Legolas' warm hands holding his, could not imagine how he would get through the day.

He leaned back in his chair, shutting his eyes and listening for Istuion.

He heard the horses in the courtyard first. Almost at once, they were drowned out by birdsong and the fluttering of wings as several of them alighted on his windowsill. Then came the sound of the outer door opening and shutting softly, followed by somebody moving around the antechamber. To his surprise, instead of dying away as quickly as they usually did, the footsteps came closer. He heard the study door open.

Thranduil smiled.

"I must confess, I had little hope that you would be here," he said, not bothering to look up.

"How did you know it was me?" an aggrieved voice demanded.

The Elven-king laughed, sitting up and holding out his hands.

"Nobody else would have the temerity to invade my study without leave, my bold little warrior. When did you return? You should have come straight to see me."

"I have come straight to see you," Legolas responded. "I would not have left you alone today of all days, Ada. I would have come back last night, but there were some… complications… on the way."

"Complications?"

"Yes." Legolas perched himself on the edge of the desk and grinned at his father. "I am sure you do not want to know about them. It is just as well that I was delayed, in any case – I would not have liked to disturb you that late at night."

"Yet you have disturbed me very early in the morning."

"If you do not want to see me now, I will go," Legolas said, getting to his feet and contriving to look hurt. "I only thought that you might not mind if I came in to talk to you, considering that you were not asleep in any case."

Thranduil, with a wicked smile unbefitting to an Elven-king, flung a cushion at his son. Legolas caught it and threw it back, beginning a wrestling match which ended, predictably, with a laughing young Elf on his stomach on the floor, effectively prevented from moving by his father, who held his arms behind his back in a gentle but unyielding grip.

"Just remember, penneth," Thranduil said, eyes sparkling with amusement, "that you may be a brave and valiant warrior, but you will never get the better of your father." He pulled the young Elf to his feet. "I am happy you are here. Now tell me about those complications."

"Complications? What complications?"

"Legolas."

Legolas made a face.

"If you must know, it was entirely an accident. Saeldur came back with me, and while we were crossing that river that cuts across to the north, just before the waterfall, we thought we saw some caves behind the waterfall and we thought it would be wisest if we… explored them. You never know who might be hiding in a cave."

"I see," Thranduil said, amused. "And was anyone hiding in it?"

"Not any more, at least, but I think there must have been someone a few years ago. There were signs of a fire once having been lit there, and some scraps of cloth – oh, I do not know whose. It could even have been Elflings playing. But now that we know it is there, we can make sure it is never used for anything other than children's games." Thranduil frowned, and Legolas looked startled. "What is wrong?"

"Do not go there again, Legolas."

"But it is perfectly safe," the young Elf protested. "There is certainly nobody there now. It has not been occupied for years."

"Humour me." Thranduil looked very grave now, not the slightest hint of mirth on his face. "You will think me unreasonable, but you must understand, Legolas – I cannot lose you."

Legolas sighed. "I suppose now I must also promise to stay within your walls for the rest of my life?"

Thranduil shook his head. "I know I seem ridiculously over-protective, but I am not. When the time comes I will have to let you go into battle as I did, no matter how it will break my heart to see you ride away and wonder if I will ever see you return. It is the price you must pay for being my son. But to risk yourself when there is no need –"

"Ada," Legolas cut in softly. "I am sorry. I will not go there again."

The Elven-king smiled, but as soon as Legolas had gone to his room to wash and change, he hurried out to find Arbellason and Thorontur. Even if the cave Legolas had found had been abandoned years ago, there were other hiding-places in the area.

But even as he left the room, Thranduil had a feeling that they would find nobody.

The End

*hides* I really couldn't resist - one last time. *g*

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