Legolas was having his own dreams, and they were not as pleasant as Aragorn's. He saw death. So much death. There were bodies of Elves, Men, and Dwarves strewn about in front of the palace gates. Legolas saw himself, Aragorn, and Gimli surrounded by Orcs and Uruk-hai. One of the Uruk-hai ran Gimli through with a spear while an Orc beheaded Aragorn. Legolas saw himself charge the monsters. He hacked at them until they were all dead. He looked around him, let out a scream of sadness and agony, and fell to his knees. Suddenly, a sword went through his chest from the back. Legolas didn't die instantly, but he twisted around after the sword was pulled out. He was coughing up blood and threw up at the sight before him. His father held the bloody sword that had delivered the fatal stab.

        "You have failed me again," Thranduil spat at his son. "May the world be rid of your pathetic existence."

        The dream Legolas fell into darkness and the real Legolas woke up screaming. A healer ran to his side. She tried to touch his head but he would not allow her. He couldn't let her put him back in a place with dreams as horrid as that.

        Aragorn ran into the room and took Legolas in his arms. The Elf struggled for a bit, but then realized who was holding him. Legolas looked up at the Man with teary eyes and whispered, "You - you're not dead."

        "No, Legolas. I'm alive. I'm here for you," Aragorn replied softly.

        Legolas buried his face in Aragorn's chest and let the tears stream down his face. His shoulders shook, but he made no sound. Gimli walked in and sat next to his friends. He put a hand on Legolas' back as he sadly watched. A few minutes passed and the healer left the men alone. Another few minutes later, Legolas sat up and wiped his eyes.

        "Legolas, what did you see that made you so upset?" Aragorn asked.

        "You don't want to know, "Legolas replied looking Aragorn dead in the eyes.

        Aragorn stared right back, "Tell us."

        Legolas relented and told his friends his dream. His tears began to return when they died and fell like rain when his father called him a failure. Legolas collapsed on Aragorn, sobbing; his friend held him close and rocked the Elf ever so slightly. His father had become cold when Legolas' mother died. He shut everyone out - even his own son. He'd ignored Legolas and verbally abused him - there were a few times when he'd hit his son as well. Legolas made a vow that he would never act that way. When his father had appeared to Legolas and said he was proud, Legolas felt his heart lighten. Thranduil had called Legolas a failure before, and so that meant a lot to Legolas. But what happened in the dream just then struck a nerve. It took a while for Legolas to finally calm back down. When he did, there was a soft knock at the door. Legolas sat up again and wiped his eyes. Aragorn and Gimli each kept a hand on their friend's shoulders. He was in a time of weakness and they knew they needed to stick with him.

        "Come in," Legolas called, dejectedly.

        A familiar face walked through the door. Legolas' eyes grew wide as Gandalf strode into the room. Aragorn smiled - he was glad the wizard had gotten his message.

        Gandalf closed the door behind him, "I heard there were some problems in this house; I have come to sort them out." The old wizard approached the three men and knelt in front of Legolas. "Now, Legolas Greenleaf, tell me what's going on."

        "Gandalf...," Legolas' voice cracked and he fell into the wizard's arms.

        Gandalf held Legolas close and stroked his long hair. Looking at it, it seemed like a father comforting a young child. But that's what Gandalf was to Legolas. He was the Elf's main father-figure. Ever since Legolas' father had shut him out, Gandalf had been there to watch over the young Elfling. Legolas felt safe in Gandalf's arms and wanted to sob in relief, but he had no tears left and was so incredibly tired. Aragorn and Gimli each touched Legolas on the shoulder and left him alone with Gandalf.

        The old wizard helped the young ellon to sit back on the bed. Gandalf sat next to Legolas and let the Elf lean on him, "Now, Legolas, tell me what is going on."

        Everything poured from Legolas' mouth. He didn't leave out a single detail. He told the story from the moment his father left to when Gandalf arrived. It took two hours. When Legolas was finished, the wizard nodded and hugged the young ellon tight.

        "Legolas, I think you are doing very well. It has been five years, and your people look up to you. They think you are doing very well. You are much younger than the kings of Greenwood before you. You are doing well protecting your keep. You have almost died twice in a week for your people, and your people have saved you in return," Gandalf said.

        "They heal me because I have no heir. They heal me because I'm their king and they must," Legolas said, defeated.

        Gandalf stood, "Where is all this coming from? Legolas, your people look up to you. The children in the village pretend they are you fighting Orcs! The women are practically falling at your feet. The men look up to your skills."

        Legolas stood, anger boiling inside him, "They do that because I fight well. The children pretend they're me in battle, not me on a throne. They admire my skills as a warrior, not a king, as do the  men," Legolas began to get louder. "The women - if they are not spoken for - throw themselves at practically any good-looking Elf, and it is a bonus if they are royalty. Gandalf, they like me for those reasons. Those were always the only reasons. I am not fit to lead a kingdom!" Legolas was screaming by the end, and was exhausted. He dropped to his knees and mumbled, "I'm not what they need. I am a failure."

        Gandalf knelt next to Legolas and gently lifted the ellon's head, "Legolas, when will you stop listening to your father's voice in your head?"

        "When it stops being true, Gandalf," Legolas stated, dead serious.

        "Legolas, you are a fine king. Your father told you he was proud, did he not?"

        "Yes. He did. But..."

        "'But' nothing! Legolas, your father had not been at peace with himself for years - hundreds of years. He left to the Undying Lands, and has found peace there. He realized how wrong he was about you, and came to you. He loves you Legolas. He always has, and always will. Do not doubt."

        Gandalf took Legolas into his arms and held his "son" close. The young Elf clung to his "father". Gandalf stood and Legolas stood with him, his confidence somewhat renewed. Then a low growl reached their ears. Legolas put a hand to his stomach as it growled again. Gandalf looked at Legolas, a bit concerned.

        "Legolas, when did you last eat?"

        "I don't know. I think it was when Gimli arrived. I remember eating with him, and I didn't eat that much."

        "That was four days ago! Come; let's get you something to eat."

        Legolas smiled at Gandalf gratefully and followed the old wizard out of his room. He was definitely hungry, and he knew they would make him eat sooner or later.

***

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