Title: A Tale of Two Princes

 

This story was written for Any.      Happy Birthday!

 

By: Carol (e-mail kjcarjo@cox.net)

 

Rating: G/AU

 

Betta: Claudia, your advice and help is much appreciated! Thank you…

 

Disclaimer:  I am not Tolkien or in and way associated with the Tolkien Enterprises. I am not profiting in any way from writing besides the joy I receive from doing it. I do not own any of the LOTR characters except those not mention by Tolkien himself. Please do not borrow them without permission as they are a figment of my imagination and therefore are mine, and I own so few things outright.

 

Summary: Filled with despair Legolas takes something that does not belong to him. Will he find the courage to return the one thing that can help mend his broken heart?

 

Warnings: None

 

Timeline: Legolas is only a small elfling in the beginning of this story.

 

Note: This story is for you dear Any. Happy Birthday!!

 

  May you live to be a hundred years,
         with one extra year to repent!

 

And thank you Trinka, for the wonderful ideas you put in my head and no I don’t mean the voices either. They were already there.

********

 

The small prince pulled his knees in closer to his chest, curling his body into a tiny ball. Even among so many elves he felt totally alone. Burying his head in his arms he struggled to contain the tiny sobs that escaped his throat.

 

Thranduil watched his son from a distance. His heart broke each time Legolas’ back pitched with each sob. He wanted nothing more than to go over, take his child in his arms, and hold him close to his chest. It took all his strength to stay were he was lying. He knew if he approached him, Legolas would pull farther away.

 

Each year it only seemed to get worse. Even though Legolas had never known his mother, each year on this day, a sense of despair would overtake the small elfling. He had tried to talk to Legolas before and help him overcome this sense of grief, but Legolas himself did not seem to understand what was happening. Only that he hurt and felt lonely. How could one so small feel such pain?

 

Thranduil had hoped bringing Legolas along for this hunt would ease his soul. Once again he feared he had failed his only son.

 

He looked over at his son, thinking he had finally cried himself to sleep; Thranduil succumbed to his own grief and began to let himself drift off to sleep. His mind reached for one particular dream, where he himself would once again be reunited with the maiden who stole his heart so many years ago.

 

Legolas lifted his eyes and watched the sleeping figure of his father. Although Thranduil lay as still as stone the Mirkwood prince knew he was deep in a troubled sleep. His father missed his mother as much if not more then he.

 

The prince wished he could explain the guilt he felt over his mother’s death. It was his birth that had taken her life. He was the reason she was not here today. “Ada if I could take her place I would,” he whispered into the night air.

 

Wishing to be alone with his guilt he began to slowly crawl away from the campsite. As he approached the soft glow of the campfire he heard a noise. Frozen with fear he gazed into the shadows looking for the source. A dark shadow passed for tree to tree, and Legolas was just about to call out to his father, when the cause of the sounds stepped into the light.

 

Intrigued with the site before him, Legolas carefully crawled closer. There standing before him was a tiny wolf cub. He coat was as dark as a starless sky with just a touch of white surrounding his muzzle. It was quite a beautiful animal.

 

He had been warned about these creatures, and the danger they brought to all who encountered them, but this one didn’t seem so dangerous too him.

 

 Sitting back the pair began to study each other. Neither moved, afraid of scaring off the other.

Legolas tilted his head slightly and the small creature mimicked him, slightly tilting its head as well. Straining his neck forward to get a closer look, Legolas was surprised as the cub lowered his own and seemed to be trying to get a closer look at him. The cub playfully jumped forward and then set back on it’s haunches as if waiting for the prince to make the next move.

 

Legolas moved closer extending his hand. Crouching down on its front paws the cub stretched its neck out and sniffed the prince’s fingertips. Then lay down with its head resting on its paws.

Legolas stretched his own body out in the grass, and propped his head up on his elbows.

 

The pair lay silently under the moonlight staring at each other. Blue eyes the color of a morning sea gazed into intense dark brown ones the shade of earth after a hard rain. The air around them seemed too crackle as the two lonely, lost souls made a connection.

 

Reaching into his pocket Legolas withdrew a small piece of dried venison and laid it before the cub, which quickly snatched it up and swallowed. He placed another piece on the ground and the cub grabbed it, tossed in the air catching it in its mouth, and quickly devoured the treat. Legolas could not contain himself and let out a small chuckle.

 

Quickly looking over his shoulder to make sure his sudden outburst had not awoken anyone, Legolas sat up, crossed his legs, and scooted closer to the small bundle of fur. Expecting the animal to turn and run from his actions, he was delighted when instead the cub crawled up onto his lap and laid his head on his knee, and gazed up at him.

 

Legolas felt a sense of closeness with this small creature he had not felt in a long time. Forgetting his sorrow he lifted the small ball of fur, tucked it close to his chest and carried it back to his bedroll. Laying the cub down, he crawled in next to it, and gently tucked the covers around them.

He placed his hand softly on the cub’s side and felt the slow and steady heart beat. Smiling Legolas bent his head down and lightly placed a kiss on the top of its head. “Sleep now fur-face, you are safe with me.”

 

The stars shone brightly down upon this unlikely pair as the two small princes, one from a large kingdom and the other of the forest, drifted off to sleep.

 

********

The full moons reflection shone in the desperate eyes of the mother wolf. She had been searching for hours for any sign of her only cub. Dragging her nose across the ground she found the slight scent indicating he had passed this way. Turning, she slowly started limping in that direction.

 

She must find him before anything happened to the small heir of her pack.

 

The evening hunt had been successful but not without its casualties. They had tracked the herd of deer for days. The pack was tired and hungry; it had been weeks since they had fed. Since the shadow began to fall upon their forest the game had started to diminish.  Easy kills had become

more cautious, running at the slightest sound and on occasion even turning to defend themselves. That is what had happened today.

 

They approached the herd down wind to hide their scent. Leaving her cub in the nearby brush, she had crawled cautiously through the tall grass. She froze; a large buck had raised his head and was searching the open field, sensing danger was nearby. He rose up on his hind legs and slammed both front hooves into the earth, sending a large vibration across the field. Snorting and pawing at the ground he started forward to protect his small herd.

 

The mother wolf turned to see what had startled the large male, seeing the cause of its distress her heart stopped. The little cub was bounding across the field heading straight on a collision course for the razor sharp antlers of the deer. Barking at the young one, she jumped from her hiding place and charged across the field.

 

She watched in horror as the two collided and her cub was sent hurling through the air. With a loud yelp he gained his feet and ran into the nearby trees. She was focused on the spot he had disappeared into; she failing to notice another large buck until she felt the sharp pain tearing through her hind leg. Dragging herself to the forest edge she felt the darkness closing around her.

 

The sky had darkened by the time she felt herself regaining consciousness. Lifting her head she searched the area for any sigh of the pack or her cub. She could see no movement in the shadows and the only sound to be heard was caused by the wind, blowing across the grassy

plain.

 

Pulling herself up, she started searching for her offspring and finding his scent, began dragging herself farther into the dark forest.

 

The scent trail led her to a small encampment. She stood behind a large bush and surveyed the area. Raising her nose high in the air she drew in a large breath. Numerous scents assailed her delicate senses. Elves, smoke, food and the scent of fear were hanging over the camp. Somewhere mixed within these was her young one. But where was he? She moved closer, careful not to be seen she searched again, but could not see the young cub.

 

 Normally, she would have charged in tearing everything and everyone in her path apart, to find that which she searched for, but her wound was serious and she knew she stood no chance again this group of elves. Once before she had encountered their kind, and being healthy at the time, had barely managed to escape with her life.

 

She had no choice, she would have to hide and wait. If her son was among these elves, she would find him, and when the opportunity arose she would once again claim that which belonged to her.

 

******

 

Thranduil had finished packing his belonging on his horse when he turned to wake his son. The morning son was shining down on the little elf, reflecting off his golden hair surrounding his head

with a soft glow. His face was so peaceful and a small smile played on the edges of his lips. The king stood for a second reveling in the sight. How he missed that smile, the gentle bubbling laughter and the curious blue eyes exploring everything within their sight.

He knew in his heart, that his son loved him and hoped he knew how much he himself loved his son. Legolas was the one thing in his life he was most proud of. When his wife had passed it was the small child that gave him the courage to carry on. He remembered holding the small bundle in his arms late at night and thanking the gods above for sparing his sons life.

 

Shaking himself out of the dream he knelt down and lightly brushed his hand across Legolas small cheek. “Wake ión nín, it is time to eat, and then we must go.”

 

Legolas looked up at his and smiled, “Maer aur (good morning) ada.” He sat up slowly as not to reveal what was under the blanket.

 

Packed and ready the small group of elves headed into the forest. Thranduil riding next to his son’s side noticed a change in the small elfling. Legolas appeared to be in a better mood and the king was relieved. His son had suffered so much lately, he knew from experience how lonely the life of a prince could be. Having no mother and a father whose duties consumed so much time was not easy. To see his son finally at peace was a relief, but he could not help but wonder what had caused such a quick change, Legolas would usually stay in a depressed mood for weeks, but now, “Oh well, what ever it is, as long as it brings peace to the young ones heart, I do not care,” he thought to himself.

 

 

The ride that morning had been uneventful. The scouts had reported no game in the area and Thranduil had an uneasy feeling, that something was not right. He could not say exactly what it was, but he had the feeling they were being watched. The forest was silent as the group slowly made their way through the dense underbrush.

 

Thranduil rode closer to Legolas, “Stay close my son.” he said out of concern.

 

“Is something wrong ada?”

 

“I do not know, just stay close, “Thranduil replied as his eyes scanned the surrounding forest. He thought he caught a shadow moving in the tree line but upon closer inspection it appeared to have vanished.

 

Feeling the tension growing in the air the small cub began to whimper. Legolas had placed his friend inside before they left, so his father would not notice the new, member of their party. Reaching in quickly he began to rub the cubs head, and whispered. “It will be okay, I will let no harm come to you.”

 

“Thank you my son, but it is I who will let no harm come to you?” Thranduil laughed, thinking Legolas was speaking to him.

 

A wide eyed prince turned and stared at his father.

 

Seeing the strange expression on his sons face, the king began to chuckle, “Is something wrong

ión nín?”

 

“Nay ada, I am fine.”

 

“Legolas if there is something bothering you, I am always here to help, I hope you know that my son,” Thranduil replied reaching over and laying his hand upon his sons knee.

 

The Mirkwood prince looked up at the tall, proud, figure of his father, the king, and was stunned by the love and concern reflecting from his eyes. In his heart he knew his father loved him, but his guilt and grief had overshadowed it for so long.

 

 He felt a warm sensation growing in his chest as the realization set in. “I know ada,” placing his small hand on top of his fathers, “Ada, amín me lla le (I love you).”

 

“Ech hir meleth-nin, ion nin,” (You are the owner of my love, my son) Thranduil replied just as Merethan his most trusted scout came riding up. 

 

Merethan pulled up beside the king as three others fell into step surrounding the royal pair.  “My lord, I do not wish to alarm the young prince, but we are being followed.”

 

“Aye, I have felt their presence for some time now.” the king replied. “Orcs not doubt, how many?”

 

“One, my lord and these are no orcs, it is a she wolf.”

 

Thranduil pulled his horse to a stop, “A she-wolf?”

 

“Yes my lord, she appears to be injured, I do not think she is a threat, but one never knows with these creatures. Shall I take care of her?”

 

The king turned, and began once again searching the tree line for the wolf.

 

He spotted her of to his left, half hidden by a large tree. She was an incredible looking creature. He coat was as white as newly fallen snow; large emerald green eyes stared back at him. She stood tall and proud, watching the group of elves as though she was searching for something.

 

“This is no ordinary wolf,” he thought to himself, “this is a queen among the forest.”

 

“Nay, she is probably looking for food, leave her be. We will watch and see what she does, but until then I want no harm to come to this creature, do you understand?” he spoke to all those in his party. “Come, it is time we returned home.”  Reaching into his pack he pulled a few scraps of meat out and tossed them to the forest floor, then prodded his horse to continue on.

 

Legolas who had sat quietly, listening to the exchange between the scout and his father reached into to his own pack and placed his hand against the small cub’s side. He knew why she was following them, but refused to tell his father. He loved this cub and wanted to keep it as his own.

“I have lost so much, I will not loose you as well,” he thought to himself.

 

******

The wolf had tried desperately to keep up with the party of elves. Her leg had stiffened over night and the pain was excruciating but she could not afford to loose them…

 

She had spied her cub as the morning sun began to rise. It was with the little one. He appeared unharmed and to her shock quite comfortable with the small elfling.

 

“Foolish child,’ she thought to herself, as her anger turned from the small elf to her own offspring, “Do you not know the danger you are in, these creatures can not be trusted, the large ones will kill you at the first opportunity.”

 

She watched the young elf giving the cub something to eat, and then place him gently inside a large bag lying next to him.

 

“What does that one think it is doing?” Panic began to form in her stomach as she watched the nightmare form before her eyes. “It means to take him!” she thought.

 

In her panicked state she began to move forward and then her senses returning moved back into the shadow of the trees. She knew she could take the small one, even in her injured state, but the large one was staying close to it. That one would be a problem.

 

She watched as the elves mounted their horses and began moving away…

 

The mother wolf stopped behind a large tree as the party came to a stop. She could hear them

speaking but could not understand that which was being said. She did not need to understand their words to know they were aware of her presence.

 

The large protector of the small one began to look around until his eyes met hers. She stood tall and held his gaze. She would not let this creature see her pain, or fear. She was the mistress of these woods and this one would know it.

 

Their eyes held for what seemed an eternity until finally the large one looked away. She watched him drop something on the ground and then lead the others farther away.

 

She slowly started into the clearing, carefully approaching the object the large one had dropped. Sniffing the objects she recognized it as food. Confusion entered her mind, “Why would the creature leave something as precious as food behind?”

 

 Her hunger over coming her distrust, she slowly devoured the food and feeling a little stronger once again began to track her cub. She knew she was running out of time, it would not be long before the cub was discovered and a small shiver ran down her spine at the though of what they would do to him.

 

******

 

The large gates opened as the hunting party returned. Legolas looked behind him for any signs of the mother wolf, as he entered the palace gates. They seemed to have lost her along the trail. A small sigh of relief escaped his throat. Sliding from his horse he quickly grabbed his pack and

headed for the palace.

 

Thranduil watched the receding form of his son and watched in amazement as the young child bounced up the steps and through the door. He wondered once again at the sudden change, but as he saw the small smiling figure pass the windows on its way to his room, he shook the uneasy feelings away. He appeared happy again and that was all that mattered.

 

He turned to remove his own belonging form his horse and was startled to see the she wolf standing in the path outside the gates watching him.

 

“My lord, she has followed us,” Merethan whispered, coming up behind him.

 

“I can see that Merethan, I am not blind.” Thranduil replied.

 

“I am sorry, milord, I did not mean to imply you where it is just…” Merethan began to answer, but was cut off by the king.

 

“I know, my friend you are worried, but I do not think she means us harm.”

 

“Then why has she chosen to follow us all the way back here?”

 

Thranduil laughed, “That I do not know, but I am sure in time we will find all the answers to our questions.” He watched as the gates closed on the wolf, she was indeed a beautiful creature looking as though she was a living statue, never waving, never letting her eyes stray from his.

 

“You are a curious one, “he thought. He watched as the gates slammed shut, and turned to go inside. In the back of his mind the wolf reminded him of someone, but at the moment he could not think of whom.

 

******

The mother wolf watched as the group of elves dismounted their horses. The little one slid from his horse and took the bag containing her cub and began retreating into the safety of its den.

 

Her heart told her to run and intercept the two before he was safely inside but her reason kicked in as their leader came into view. Staring at the large one she thought, “Yes leader, that’s what this one is. She could see it in the way he stood, tall and proud, in the way he moved, with grace and dignity, yes this was their leader. She watched as the others around him followed his lead. He reminded her of her own mate. The one these creatures had taken from her long ago…

 

It had been a cold morning and he had stood over her, watching with concern in his eyes. She had left the rest of the pack as the pain began to rip through her body, and had retreated to a small clump of bushes to give birth to her first offspring.

 

He had stayed by her side until the cub had been born, gently nuzzling his snout against hers in support and love. She remembers the way he looked as he gazed down at the small furless creature nuzzled up against her for warmth. 

 

He stood tall; his dark black coat tinged with sparkles of blue, as it absorbed the morning sun. His bright blue eye’s filled with pride as he gazed into her eyes. This was his family, his mate and heir and he would die to protect them. If only it had not come so soon.

 

A deer bounded from the brush, narrowly missing the mother and cub as it ran for its life from an unknown enemy. The black wolf turned and lowered it head to the ground as others approached,

Placing him between the bush where his family hid and the new arrivals.

 

 A pair of elves stepped into the brush and froze at the sight before them. The male wolf’s fur began to rise along its spine, and baring his teeth, a deep growling formed in his throat.

 

Fear pulsed through her heart, she knew what would happen, but was helpless to stop it.  She started to rise, stopped only by the small whine of her newborn cub. He heart sunk. She could not abandon him, not now, not ever. Drawing him closer to her body, under the cover of the bushes she watched her life as she new it come to end. She had seen these creatures before. The danger they represented to her kind. This was one battle they could not win.

 

The male wolf eyed the two elves before him, silently wishing them away. The larger one reached behind him and the wolf tensed. He turned his head and looked once more in the direction of his hidden family, turning he began to approach the awaiting enemies.

 

One of the intruders raised his weapon and she watched in horror as her mate leaped into the air and was struck down. The elf walked up and nudging the body with his boot turned to his partner and the pair continued through the brush.

 

Shaking herself from the memory, she watched as the leader turned to watch the small one going inside. The expression on his face shocked her, concern, love and failure. The same expression on her mates face right before he was killed.

 

“This large one has felt pain and loss in his life as well.” she thought to herself, “he longs for his cub as I do mine, perhaps there is hope yet.”

 

As he turned to watch the great gate close their eyes met. She held is gaze trying to make him understand the link they shared, love, loss and the need to protect those left behind. The only bond to transverse all life forms, that of a parent for its child.

 

The gate slammed close and the wolf moved closer. Searching for a way in she began to walk the wall, hoping for an unseen entry way. A way to that which was most precious to her, her cub, a link to her lost mate, her life.

 

******

 

Legolas ran into his room and quickly closed the door, making sure to throw the latch. “It would not do well for someone to come in and discover my secret.” he thought. He crossed the room and sat on his bed. Carefully laying the pack in the center, he opened it and looked inside.

 

 Wide brown eyes peered out, adjusting to the light that was streaming into the room.

 

The prince reached in and gently lifted the small bundle of fur out and placed it next to the pack.

 

The curious cub scanned its new surrounding. Legolas watched as the tiny animal jumped from the bed, slid across the marble floor, and disappeared under his wardrobe only to reappear covered in cobwebs. It began the shake its head trying to dislodge the debris from its snout and began to sneeze, sending Legolas into a fit of laughter.

 

Crossing the room he gently reached down and removed the fragments with one soft swipe. Gathering the cub in his lap, he began to stroke its soft fur, and sing to it an old elvish tune his ada had sung to him as a child.

 

He had not had so much fun in along time. For hours he played with his new friend, oblivious to the passing time. He had rolled a ball across the room and watched with joy, as the cub chased it back and forth. He set up his small wooden toy warriors and had a mock battle as the cub ran through them, knocking them about the room.

 

Suddenly, he was brought back to the present by a loud knock on the door. Scooping up his little friend, placing him in the refreshing room, and closing the door quietly, he turned to answer the door.

 

******

 

Thranduil could hear the laughter as he walked down the hallway. Stopping at the door he stood and listened. It had been a long time since the sounds of joy had rang inside these lonely halls.

 

He smiled to himself as he reached for the door knob and tried to open the door. It was locked.

Legolas never locked his door. “Legolas, my son open the door,” he could hear the soft whisper of feet, running across the room.

 

As the door opened he quickly walked in, and scanned the room. Everything seemed in place. A few toys were scattered across the floor. A small ball and some toy soldiers were lying in the center of the floor but other then that he could see nothing else wrong.

 

“What have you been doing in here all this time?” he asked.

 

“Nothing ada, just playing,” Legolas looked up with a nervous smile.

 

“Very well my son, come, it is time to eat and then you should rest, it has been a long day,” he reached down and scooped the child into his arms. Carrying him from the room, he looked upon the scene again, as a small sense of uneasiness gripped his heart. As his sons arms wrapped around his neck, he pushed the thought away.

 

After dinner he tucked his son into bed and sat next to him, gently stroking his hair until the child fell asleep. He bent down, picked up the toys and quietly left the room, stopping to gaze once again at the small child laying in the moonlight. “That’s my son.” he said as pride began to fill his heart.

 

******

 

Legolas listened to the soft swishing of his father’s silk robes as he left the room. One door softly clicked shut he slowly sat up in bed and slid his feet over the edge. Waiting to make sure his ada did not return, he finally climbed from the bed and headed for the refreshening room.

 

He slipped into the room and found the little guy sleep, curled up on the drying rug in the center of the room. Sitting down next to him he brought a few scraps of dried meat out of his pocket and placed them on the floor in front of the cub. He watched with mild curiosity as the little black nose began to move as the cub caught the scent. Suddenly the cub lunged forward and devoured the food.

 

Legolas picked him up and carried him back to his bed. Reaching under he took his pack out and placed the cub inside, ’Come little one, you must need to go out after being locked in there for so long. He quietly crossed to the window, placed the pack over his shoulder and crawled out on the ledge. He knew this was the only way outside unless he wished to be caught.

 

Reaching over he grabbed the branch of a Mallorn tree that grew by his window and swung him down from branch to branch, until at last his feet touched the ground. Lifting the cub from the pack he placed him gently on the ground, and sat beneath the tree, while the small creature began to sniff the ground and explore the garden.

 

The night air was cool and Legolas lay beneath the star filled sky and listened to the night sounds of the forest beyond. He could hear crickets chirping, and the cry of a wood owl out on the hunt. Suddenly a loud howl pierced the air and Legolas bolted up.

 

The cub stopped in its tracks and scanned the garden for the source of the sound. Its dark eyes searching every shadow and corner for the owner of the lonely cry. He knew it was him mothers call, but could not find her. He sat up lifted his head and returned the call, which was quickly answered. Running to the wall he began pacing back and forth, calling and waiting for an answer.

 

Legolas ran up and grabbed the little cub, hugging it close to his chest, he tried to sooth the disturbed cub, by whispering comforting words to it in elvish. He knew it was the mother wolf on the other side of the wall, calling her child. His heart raced as the cries became louder and louder, a continuous echo between mother and child. The desperate, heart wrenching sound tore at his heart.

 

He knew keeping the cub was wrong, it did not belong to him, but it had come to him when he was at his lowest. Surely this was a sign that it was meant to be. His mind tried desperately to convince his heavy heart, he was making the right choice as he turned to take the cub back inside.

 

******

 

As the evening sky began to turn the mother wolf drug herself under the shelter of the trees and warily lay down. She had circled the wall over and over, but could find no way inside. The gate was in view from where she had decided to rest. Her only chance was to wait for it open and then try to slip in.

 

 She could see the two elves standing at the top of the wall watching her. Their whispered voices carried across the trees. She watched carefully for them to draw their weapons, but other then being curious they didn’t seem to pay her much mind.

 

He head dropped wearily to her paws, her ears remained on alert for even the slightest sound. She had almost fallen asleep when a familiar scent was carried over the stone wall. Rising she moved close to the wall, her wet snout breathing in deeply. She could smell that which she was seeking and ran to the gate, putting her nose up to the cracks and began to dig at the soil beneath.

 

He frenzied mind took over control and a loud cry erupted from her throat. A desperate cry rang through the forest. He furs stood on end when the cry was returned.  Anger began to build in her heart; she was so close and yet so far from her destination.

 

She was so enraged she didn’t notice the elves about her draw their bows and reach for the arrows they carried on their backs.

 

******

 

Thranduil sat behind his desk and rubbed his tired eyes. He had retired to his room after tucking his son in, but sleep eluded him. He decided to go to his study and try to finish some long awaiting correspondence, but his mind refused to cooperate.

 

He could not shake the feeling his son was hiding something from him. Legolas was at times a

moody child, but never had he hid things from him. Then why did he have this nagging feeling that that was what he was doing now.

 

He knew he should approach his son and find out what was going on, the change in his young son’s behavior was so sudden, but seeing him smile, hearing him laugh, feeling those tiny arms around his neck was something he had longed to feel for so long.

 

“Leave him be Thranduil,’ he sighed to himself, “when he is ready he will come to you.”

 

Heaving himself up, and pulling his robe closer around his body, Thranduil turned heading for the door. He decided to return to his room, and try once again to get some sleep. Just as he open the door a lonely cry of a wolf broke the silent evening air.

 

Rushing to the hall window he scanned the courtyard below and was shocked by what he saw. He stood and watched his son rushing across the garden and picking up a small wolf cub. Just then the sound of an angry, desperate wolf rose over the courtyard walls.

 

In his mind he pictured the proud she-wolf standing outside the gates as if longing for something. Now he knew that which she longed for. But how did Legolas become in possession of this cub and where?

 

Thranduil’s attention was diverted as he caught a shadow move in the corner of his eyes. He turned just as the sentries on duty armed themselves, and aimed at the she-wolf, he was assuming was at the gate entrance. He turned and rushed down hall. He had to stop them before

they caused the creature any harm.

 

******

 

Legolas was just climbing up the steps when his father burst through the door. He stopped and watched as his ada rushed passed yelling at the sentries.

 

“Halt, lower your weapons, she is not to be harmed!” The Mirkwood king bellowed.

 

The sentries laid their bows aside but continued to keep a close eye on the large wolf.

 

Legolas listened to the silence that had fallen over the compound; the mother wolf had stopped baying when his father had called out. Knowing his secret was out, and his father would return the cub, he slumped down on the steps and hugged it closer to his chest. He could feel the small heartbeat against his, and he hung his head unable to look his father in the eyes.

 

Thranduil slowly approached his son, and sat down next to him. “Ion nín, thír na enni,” (My son, look at me) he pleaded.

 

The small Mirkwood prince refused to lift his head, and squeezed the cub harder.  It began to whine and struggle to be free. Finally loosening his grip he watched as the creature dropped free and ran towards the gate.

 

The king reached over and gently lifting his chin stared into his. Small tears were forming in the edges and threatened to spill over. Thranduil sighed and spoke in a whispered tone, “Legolas. I do not know how you became in possession of this small creature, but you know you can not keep him.”

 

“Ada, I need him, “the small voice cried. “He is all I have.”

 

A look of confusion crossed Thranduil’s face, “I do not understand Legolas, please tell me why this need is so great, you would separate a cub from his mother?”

 

Startled Legolas turned to watch the cub desperately seeking a way to his mother. He realized he had been thinking of only his own needs, and not that of the thing he claimed to love.

 

“I miss her,” The tears finally bridge his eyes and began poring down his small pale cheeks’ “it is not fair ada; I never even had the chance to see her!”

 

Thranduil wrapped his arms around the weeping child, pulled him close to his chest, and laying his head atop that of his sons whispered, “ I am sorry my little one, I can not imagine what it has been like for you all of this time, but you can not replace her by keeping this cub. You must return him to his own mother, for she misses him, as much as you miss you own naneth.”

 

“But the pain ada, it hurts so bad, I am sorry, it is my entire fault.”

 

“Oh little leaf, is that what you think? All this time you have blamed yourself for her death and I have blamed myself for not being able to save her, but NEVER once have I blamed you.”

 

“You didn’t?”

 

Thranduil watched as the realizations slowly come over his son. “Legolas, you are my son, my joy, my life, I could never blame you for what happened.”

 

Legolas wrapped his arms around his father’s neck, “I am sorry ada, amin mela lle.”

 

Tilting his face down and touching his nose to the tip of his son’s, Thranduil softy replied, “I love you to my son.”

 

The two sat holding each other, oblivious to everything around them until a something soft began to wiggle between the two.

 

Legolas giggled as a tiny little head popped up underneath his chin.

 

Thranduil looked down at the tiny little furry face and began laughing along with Legolas as a small pink tongue flicked up and caught him across the chin.

 

The three turned and faced the gate as a long howl rang through the silence.

 

Legolas reached down, picked up the cub and started towards the gate; he turned and looked back at his father.

 

Thranduil heaved himself up and walked over putting his hand on the child’s shoulder, “Come my son, we will do this together.”

 

As they approached the gate Thranduil raised his hand, whispered softly in elvish and stepped back as the gate began to open.

 

The mother wolf watched as the gate opened and cautiously took a few steps toward the small group.

 

Legolas slowly put the cub on the ground and gave it a little push forward. Confused the cub stood, looking back and forth, not sure which way to go. He loved his mother, but had grown fond of his new friend.

 

Realizing her cub’s hesitancy the she-wolf walked up carefully, picked her cub up by the neck and turned, heading back into the forest. As she neared the tree-line she turned and gazed back at the two creatures standing in the moonlight.

 

Thranduil gazed into her eyes and finally realized who she reminded him of, “Thank you curious one, we both now have what we wanted most of all, our children, safe and sound.

 

She slowly dropped her cub to the ground and together her and her cub slowly melted into the shadows of the forest.

 

“Ada, do think we will ever see them again?” Legolas asked as he reached up and took his fathers hand.

 

“I do not know, but I feel we have not seen the last of them, now come it is late and you are tired.”

 

The gate closed and the pair walked back to the house. The sentries smiled as a small voice was carried on the wind.

 

“Ada, may I sleep with you to night?”

 

“If you promise to go to sleep.”

 

“I will ada, I promise.”

 

******

 

It had been many years since this scene has played out and the memory of the cub had faded from Legolas’ memory.

 

He sat beneath a large Mallorn tree enjoying some fruit after a long day of hunting. He had just finished and was leaning back to rest when he heard a rustling in the bushes across the small clearing. Grabbing his bow and arrows he stood, waiting to see what would appear.

 

A large black wolf walked into the clearing and stopped. Legolas studied the creature noticing the white patch around his snout. He gasped as the memory of who stood before him.

 

The wolf also seemed to be studying the elf before him. He tilted his head and whined, as if asking the same question that was running through Legolas mind.

 

“Fur-face?” Legolas whispered.

 

The wolf lowered himself to the ground and continued to stare at Legolas. He sat back down under the tree and gazed into the wolf’s eyes. Both sat that way till the sun began to rise. Neither moved or made a sound. No words were needed.

 

Finally the wolf rose and with a soft whine turned and disappeared the way he had come.

Legolas smiled as he watched the wolf retreat back into the forest and picking up his own things went his own way.

 

Two princes from different worlds, with much in common had shared a dream few had ever encountered. One that would remain with them for all time.

 

THE END