I'm back with the final chapter. Thank you for the lovely reviews

sob I don't want to end this…

Flames of the Moon: Erk! Swords! Eek! hides I don't have any incomplete fics as I tend to have them almost finished by the time I post chapter 1. But I should have a new fic in a while.

Swasti: Of course I love making you worry

Blondi aka Lucius: Well, Legolas wasn't scared of Oropher, cos being his Grandfather, he's heard a lot about him from Thranduil. So really he isn't scared of him, cos he knows he wouldn't hurt him.

Chapter 7:-Road to Recovery

Early the next morning Thranduil was still pacing across the room waiting for Legolas to wake. The Prince's fever had broken in the early hours but still the Prince did not waken. The morning sun streamed in through the balcony doors. He will awaken, oh Valar let him awaken he prayed desperately Please Legolas…

"Pacing will not get you anywhere. It'll only give you sore feet"

Thranduil span around at the sound of his son's voice and found the young Prince staring at him quizzically. The King broke into a smile and hurried to his son's side, pulling the young elf into a crushing embrace. He planted a soft kiss on his son's temple. Legolas returned the embrace with a smile

"How are you?" Thranduil finally asked

Legolas frowned "Sore, but it's not more pain than I've had before"

Thranduil smiled softly "Well that's good." He frowned "I'm sorry, ion-nin. I've not been the best Father to you in these past few weeks, spending far too much time with my work and not enough with you."

Legolas shook his head "No, the Kingdom is more important"

Thranduil tightened his grip on Legolas "Nothing is more important than you, Greenleaf, nothing. I may have to look after the Kingdom, but nothing will ever be more important than you." He smiled at his son "Now how about we return to the river later this morning"

Legolas nodded "I would like that"

"But first, let us get you something to eat." The King rose to his feet and exited the room, Legolas heard him asking one of the servants to fetch some broth from he kitchens and to ask the kitchen staff to prepare some food for them to take by the river. When Thranduil returned Legolas looked at him steadily

"You shouldn't allow your work to build up" he said "Are you sure you can afford to spend the day by the river?"

Thranduil raised an eyebrow and helped his son into a sitting position "I thought you wanted to spend time with your Father?"

"I do, I just don't think it would be wise if you have mountains of work to do"

Thranduil chuckled "I don't think it is wise to abandon my son after I nearly lost him" he stated as one of the maids entered and handed him a tray containing a glass of water and a bowl of broth. "Now enough of that, if you don't want my company, just say so"

"It isn't that!" Legolas protested "I just think…"

"Legolas, you won't change my mind on this" Thranduil insisted "Now, eat your broth"

Legolas grimaced and picked up the spoon; both he and Thranduil were shocked to see how much his hand shook

"You still aren't well" Thranduil stated taking the spoon from Legolas and moving to sit beside his son "Let me help"

"Adar, there's no need" Legolas protested, embarrassed by his Father's insistence

"Yes, Legolas, there is. Now come, surely you aren't embarrassed by this. I fed you enough when you were a mere infant"

Much later the two elves were sitting on the riverside beneath the large tree Legolas had sat under two days ago. By leaning his weight on Thranduil's shoulder, Legolas had managed to make his way to the riverside; it had proved difficult due to Legolas broken leg and his gashed one, but eventually, they reached their destination the pair lowered themselves to the ground, amidst the families who hadn't been deterred by Legolas accident. However, no elf now ventured to close to the deadly forest river, lest they suffer the same fate as their beloved Prince. Legolas could feel their gazes on him, wondering how he had survived. The Prince could hear their mutterings, and feel their sympathetic gazes. He turned to his Father "I feel like I'm an exhibit in a show" he muttered

Thranduil sighed softly "It is such an unusual occurrence that one survives the Forest River that they wonder how you survived with minimal injuries. It will pass." He assured his son

Legolas frowned "Well I don't know his I survived either" he snapped

"Think of it as a gift from the Valar, you saved that elflings life, so in turn the valar saved yours." Thranduil said "You did a brave thing that day. You risked your life to save that elfling, for that I am very proud of you"

"Most elves would have done so"

"No, many wouldn't have risked their own life for another they did not know." The King smiled softly "And I both love you and curse you for your selflessness, for I know one day it could get you killed."

Legolas smiled softly "Adar, how many times have you risked your life for me?"

"But that is different" Thranduil protested

"How is it?" Legolas asked a devious smile on his lips

"I…"

Thranduil was saved from answering however when a soft voice interrupted them, he looked up into the face of a female elf, who stood her hands on her son's shoulders

Legolas too looked over "How is he?" he asked the mother, recognising the young elf he had saved from the river

"He is fine, thanks to you, My Lord" she said graciously "I have to thank you, because I love my Rusco dearly and would despair if anything happened to him, as I am sure you will understand, King Thranduil." She bowed her head in respect "I'm sorry for the pain he caused you, Prince Legolas"

Legolas waved it of "It was nothing" he said, then looking to the elfling he smiled "I hope you won't try anything like that again" he said with a smile

Thranduil laughed "You are a fine one to reprimand elflings on reckless behaviour, ion-nin"

Legolas shot him a withering look, and turned back to the child, who looked up at him "Thank you Prince Legolas," he said with a smile "You saved my life, can I do anything to repay you?"

"No" Legolas replied simply "Except stay out of danger" he added as an afterthought.

The elfling nodded, and as his Mother led him away, a smile came to Legolas' face as he overheard the elfling say to his Mother "When I'm older I'm going to be just like Prince Legolas"

The End

Well that's it. The end. sob

Thank you to all who reviewed:

Aisu Dragoness, Ak-stinger, Astalder27, Blondi aka Lucius, Caunoiech, Deana, Elf of the Third age, Elven Kitten, Flames of the moon, Haldir's heart and Soul, Jaden Phoenix, JC, Jenetri, Kel, Kelsey Estel, Keluin Lossehelin, Mcross, Nautika, Slina , Swasti, t, Tinnuial, Trinilee Greenleaf

And now for what is coming up soon:

Enslaved

When Legolas kills a boy by accident, the man's father comes to Thranduil begging retribution for his son, Thranduil refuses. In retaliation the man captures Legolas and forces him into servitude.

Well, I'll be back then in about a month hopefully

Aranel of Mirkwood