Save the song for the end...

The sun had dipped beyond the borders of Imladris, giving way to night. The waning moon had arisen in the east, offering a pale shimmer to a silent starlit sky. Legolas had left early to allow plenty of time to find his way. Thankfully, he had remembered the direction he had come from earlier in the day. Torches illuminated a tree lined pathway along the river. Some of the leaves had fallen and had strewn the path with beautiful shapes and colors. Feeling the chill of the night, he was grateful that Frendland had brought him a woolen cloak. He pulled the warm fabric tightly around himself, as the air near the river was brisk and damp. His ears had grown accustomed to the constant sound of rushing water, though walking so closely to the river's edge, the sound was heightened; especially when passing the numerous waterfalls. The path had several crossings but he decided the best course was to follow the river.

As he meandered, he hoped to see something familiar to assure himself that he was headed in the right direction. Just as he was about to ask a pair of ellyn walking by for guidance, he breathed a sigh of relief when beyond the bend, the white peaks of Lord Elrond's great Homely House appeared in the distance. The structure looked breathtakingly opalescent in the moon's gentle glow. His chest felt a flutter of excitement knowing that he would be meeting new faces and acquainted with those he had already met.

Lindir stood waiting with a few footman that were stationed at the door. He graciously led Legolas into the Homely House past the lounge he had met with Lord Elrond earlier in the day. As they drew closer to the destination, he could hear the joyous melody of stringed instruments and the chattering voices of ellyn and ellith, carrying through the great hall. Lindir led him through the doorway of a large open aired room that was situated on a massive out cropping of a cliff. The room was half-moon in shape with a grand staircase leading down from it to a quaint overlook of the river and waterfalls that flanked either side. Arched windows surrounded the perimeter of the room offering spectacular views in every direction. It was magnificent.

Lindir announced Legolas' arrival to the small group that had already gathered. Lord Elrond graciously quit the circle of ellyn he was speaking with to greet him. "Prince Legolas, welcome! I hope that this eve finds you refreshed?" He grasped his shoulder firmly.

"My Lord Elrond, greetings! I have found great rest here, thank you!" Legolas bowed respectfully.

"Come, meet the rest of my family." He gestured into the room and led Legolas over to where Aerlinniel and Arwen where gathered with a few new faces. The stories told of Lord Elrond's daughter's legendary beauty was proving to be true for they were visions of loveliness. Arwen wore a gown of royal blue which brought forth her starry, indigo eyes. Aerlinniel stood gleaming, her dress like that of soft silver moonbeams spun of silk. The ellith's hair was richly adorned with braids and silver circlets laid elegantly upon their heads.

"You remember my daughters, Aerlinniel and Arwen?"

"Of course...good evening, my ladies." Legolas smiled nodding, his head in a gentle bow. Both ellith greeted him warmly. His eyes lingered briefly upon Aerlinniel until Lord Elrond drew his attention away.

"This is Elladan and Elrohir, my twin sons."

Legolas exchanged hearty greetings with the two identical dark haired ellyn. He found them to be quite personable and he liked them straight away. He studied them quickly to find something distinctively unique about each so that he could tell them apart. Legolas noticed there to be a faint difference in their eye shape. Elrohir's eyes were larger, a brighter blue and more open; such that he could see the white around his eyes. Elladan wore a gold ring on his right hand with a crimson stone. Thankfully they were not dressed identically and those differences would at least get him through the evening until he could determine something more discriminating to identify them.

"And, this is Estel." He pulled forward a youth, Legolas, guessed to be about 10 years of age. He was taken aback at this, not expecting Estel to be a child. He was expecting a young man not a boy.

"Greetings, Estel, I am pleased to meet you." Legolas offered cheerily, disguising his surprise.

"Mae govannen, Prince..." the boy dipped his head and paused looking out at the corners of his eyes for assistance. Lord Elrond leant in and whispered words of rescue into his ear. "Prince Legolas of the Woodland Realm," Estel carefully articulated his proper greeting.

Legolas was charmed by the young lad. Being the only human among elves, he was quite curious indeed. He looked forward to learning more about this young man, but now was not the time to pry.

"Estel, that is an elvish name, no?" Legolas asked the dark haired youth.

"Yes, my lord, I was given that name by Lord Elrond when I was very young." He answered, looking back at Lord Elrond for approval, who in turn gave him a reassuring nod.

Realizing that he may be treading where he shouldn't be, Legolas attempted to steer the conversation in a different direction. "Your name means hope. I find your name most encouraging."

Estel smiled widely revealing a tender quality that gripped Legolas' heart. He noticed the lad was missing an eye tooth which added to his youthful charm.

"And your name, Legolas...that means green leaf." Estel offered matter of factly.

"You are correct, you are well versed in elvish I see." Legolas mused.

"It is a part of what I study here in Imladris." Legolas found his straight forward candor quite enjoyable.

"Well now, I see you're missing an eye tooth...that would make you ten years of age?" Legolas said narrowing his eyes with his estimation.

"Nearly eleven, my lord." Estel added wide eyed. Lord Elrond and his family giggled at the youth's words.

"Ah, yes? When is your birthday, Lad?" Legolas asked him earnestly. He could chat with the lad all night, he laughed to himself.

"March first," he looked to Elrond who nodded amusedly. "Prince Legolas, how did you know how old I am?" He asked curiously, cocking his head to the side.

"By your teeth," Legolas said pointing to the space where Estel's tooth was missing. "As an elfling I paid close attention to my anatomy studies," he said with a wink.

Legolas noticed the lad studying him and then he asked, "Prince Legolas how old are you?" Arwen gasped stifling a giggle at the precocious question. Aerlinniel, he noticed had bit her bottom lip in amusement as well.

"Oh now, let me see..." Legolas looked up into the air above as if to perform some mental calculations. "2,647, nearly 2,648."

Estel laughed, his eyes wide, "that is a lot of begettings! When do you turn 2,648?"

"My begetting day is March twentieth." Legolas informed him to which Estel's eyes widened at the commonality.

"Truly?" Estel flashed his toothy smile again.

"Yes, I was begotten in the spring and thus is how I received my name. For the green leaves had begun to sprout on the branches in Greenwood."

At that moment Lord Elrond excused himself as he was pulled away with the arrival of other guests, which left Legolas with the elf lord's refreshingly friendly family.

Elladan procured each of them a chalice of wine and pleasant small talk ensued. Legolas was quite content and pleased at the ease of the evening thus far.

A little while later, Lord Elrond collected Legolas to meet some of the other elves that had arrived.

Amongst those that he had met, was the famed warrior, Glorfindel, who was most friendly and welcoming. Erestor, Lord Elrond's Chief Counsellor who seemed surprisingly congenial despite his scholarly disposition. Then there was Thalen, a captain in Lord Elrond's guard. Legolas wouldn't consider him friendly, perhaps it was caution that he sensed although it felt more like disdain, however he couldn't imagine why.

The music had stopped and Lindir announced that dinner would be served. The guests were ushered to the grandly set table that was placed before a large hearth. Lord Elrond sat at the head of the table with his family flanking him on either side. Aerlinniel and Arwen on one side and the twins and Estel on the other. Legolas was seated opposite of Lord Elrond and far away from the comfort of the elf lord's family. On either side of Legolas, sat Erestor and Glorfindel who were pleasant enough. Next to them, sat a few other nobles and then Thalen who sat next to Aerlinniel.

Lucky ellon, Legolas thought. He would have much rather sat with Lord Elrond's family than be forced to make conversation with a few nobles and a shifty captain of the guard. Yes, it was one of the pitfalls of being a prince, he thought, set apart to be among other seemingly "important" nobles and counsellors. Truth be known, he'd much rather be conversing with Estel and becoming more acquainted with Lord Elrond's family.

Legolas hadn't realized how hungry he was until the food was placed before him. It had been nothing but lembas bread for weeks. The meal started off with a fruit, cheese and greens plate, which he made quick work of. That was followed by a steaming bowl of mushroom soup in a crusty bread bowl, which he put away rather hastily. He was sure he had embarrassed himself with his swift gulps of soup and the quick deconstruction of the delicious bread bowl.

"I see the food set before you, pleases you?" Glorfindel mused in a low voice as he nudged Legolas in the arm with his elbow.

Caught in the middle of ripping apart the bread bowl, whilst engulfing a rather large piece, all that he could reply was, "MMMM, Hmmm." Legolas laughed and nodded, still chewing. "Yes, I must confess I haven't had much food to speak of for some time, save Lembas rations.

"I think all the ellyn here at this table can relate to your hunger. Eat up Prince, you have earned a hearty meal," Glorfindel dismissed Legolas' concern to explain his hearty appetite.

There had been small talk around the table which allowed for him to make quick work of the first two courses and he began to feel somewhat satiated. He guessed others had noticed when the main course arrived that his ravenousness had abated and the table conversation began to shift towards him.

Glorfindel was most curious to hear about the battle from which he had come – questioning him about the sort of combat Legolas had personally laid witness to. Glorfindel seemed to enjoy swashbuckling tales to which Legolas had his fair share and thus he told him about the fight that ensued with Bolg which had the Golden Warrior thoroughly amused.

As he glanced around the table while others commented or asked their questions, Legolas noticed Estel to be riveted by the account he told of the battle. The boy hung on his every word.

"It is a shame there were so many lives lost. The dwarves lost their king and his two heirs and the elves...how many of your adar's warriors were lost?" Erestor concernedly asked.

Legolas looked down at his fresh plate of fish and potatoes and felt a deep twisting in his stomach. The acrid burn of bile coursed up into his throat as images of lives lost, some of which he had witnessed, came to mind. Many of the broken and lifeless bodies of his kin, were known to him personally, and all were elves of the place he called home.

Being a prince, a commander of his kingdom's guard, he is required to have conversations such as this and detach himself from the emotion tied to it - something he had seen his father do time and again. He had perfected the art of concealing his emotion for that of the kingdom. Despite all the years of grooming to converse with nobles and statesman, at this moment, in a new place, surrounded by mostly strangers, Legolas found speaking of his realm's casualties terribly difficult to discuss. The happening was too recent and raw in his mind and he remained troubled from it all.

Sensing his hesitation, Erestor soothed, "forgive me Prince Legolas, you're much too fresh off the battlefield for such conversation, we need not discuss it." He reached over and grasped Legolas' forearm reassuringly.

Legolas looked up to see that all eyes were upon him. He straightened as he gently placed his fork on his plate. "I departed before there was an official count of the deceased. There were many lives lost on all sides. In our realm, of course, any lives lost are too many," his words came out heavy and slow.

"How was it that your realm became involved in such a large scale battle?" Thalen, inquired, looking around the table as if to find support in his curiosity and by the dour looks around the table he found little.

A long tired sigh escaped Legolas, and his eyes fixed upon his chalice; his hands curled slowly around his knife and fork.

How did we come to war exactly? Legolas wondered to himself, how could he offer up a brief explanation as to what lead to Mirkwood's involvement in the chaos that ensued? It wasn't a single event that lead to war...rather, a series of events acting in tandem to one another that brought five races to war.

"Treasure..." Legolas smiled curtly at the ellon. "Rumor had spread of Smaug's death. My adar, believing the mountain lay empty to any claim upon its treasure, set out to reclaim what had once belonged to him. Along the way, he discovered the people of Lake Town were in need of aid to which he supplied them with help. It was then revealed to him that Bard and his people had also laid claim to a portion within the mountain. Together, they formed an alliance and set upon Erebor as allies. When they arrived, they found Thorin Oakenshield, alive and had taken up residence within the mountain with his company of warriors. Bard and my father attempted to negotiate an arrangement with Thorin however he didn't agree to any terms."

"Dwarves are known to be stubborn by nature and history dictates as such," Erestor added.

"And why did Thorin not accept the terms?" Thalen posed his question, though Legolas sensed his intent was to inflame.

"Thorin found offense at the army of elves at his door and refused to reason despite all who tried to sway him," Legolas stated plainly showing little emotion but his gaze centered on the captain.

"Ah yes, your father has a reputation for not getting along well with others; doesn't he?" Thalen jested snidely, seeming to enjoy his subtle provocations.

The other elves at the table were silent as Legolas observed some of them nervously glancing at one another.

Legolas' eyes met the ellon's haughty gaze but he struggled to find his words. He simply stared daggers into him. This captain was way out of line, Legolas thought, his temper flaring. What was this ellon's problem?

A chastising voice broke the silence, "Thalen, I don't believe you understand the entirety of the situation!" Aerlinniel's eyes flared intensely upon Thalen with a challenging look, surprising Legolas with her ire.

Thalen turned to her then, and Legolas felt a wave of adrenaline spike through him. He had better mind his tongue with speaking to her, he thought with his jaw clenched tightly.

"From what I have heard, if King Thranduil had kept his stake out of the mix there wouldn't have been any loss of eldar life. It was his greed that led him out of his caves . . . This was no act of altruism. The aid the king provided to Lake Town, was simply an act he believed, would continue that alliance for trade purposes. He has only himself to blame for the loss of his people. It was his own stubborn greed that has suffered many."

It had appeared that both Aerlinniel and Lord Elrond were poised to speak but Legolas interjected before they could. "It would seem as such but you do not know of what you speak . . . and you will do well to keep your opinions of my father to yourself." Legolas' teeth ground together as he spared no reservation in the glare he gave him – daring the captain to provoke him again.

"I am making a simple observation, if there is something I am misunderstanding, then please enlighten me," Thalen stated coolly.

The ellon was getting on Legolas' last nerve. Perhaps that is what he was attempting to do, Legolas fumed to himself. Thalen had come tonight with some sort of resentment towards him and Legolas vowed he wouldn't fall prey to his needling.

"I do not have to explain anything to you. My father's motivations are his own and I do not require your understanding on the matter." Legolas lifted his chalice and drained its contents in hopes the drink would assuage his boiling temper.

The golden haired elleth rallied to Legolas' defense again, "Thalen, you are well aware that Thorin and his company were in Imladris recently. And you laid witness to the dwarves' prejudice towards the elves. Adar had the foresight that Thorin would likely struggle with madness if he reclaimed the treasure in the mountain. As you heard Prince Legolas say, King Thranduil arrived in Erebor believing the treasure within the mountain to be unclaimed. He would be a fool to arrive without a company of warriors, not knowing what he'd find in the mountain! No king travels without protection; you know this! King Thranduil was not imposing a threat to Thorin Oakenshield, so much as he was there to collect something that was rightfully his. He stood alongside Bard, who believed he was owed his fair share. Even when Thorin refused to listen, King Thranduil did the noble thing when the tides had turned and war was upon them. He fought alongside the dwarves and men... Had he not, the dwarves may have never reclaimed Erebor. You are being much too harsh." She shook her head at the ellon's slighting words.

Legolas sat stunned at the elleth's remarks.

"All of that aside, make no mistake, it was still arrogance and greed that got the Elvenking into trouble," Thalen shrugged unmoved.

"You do not know of the ellon you speak and how dare you say such things about an ally of our realm!" Aerlinniel's frustration with the ellon was apparent by her strong tone and the fiery look she gave him.

Legolas speculated that something more seemed to be going on between them than this disagreement, they knew each other well by the way they spoke to one another.

He wondered why the elleth defended his father and him so fervently? Though he didn't need her rescue, he was grateful for it.

"Thalen, King Thranduil is a close friend to this family and ally to this realm. While you are entitled to your opinion, I do not think you will find it popular with the company you share," Lord Elrond's words came smooth and commanding. His tone was deceptively stern and the captain nodded his head at the elf lord in submission.

A slow invisible sigh escaped Legolas and he felt his shoulders relax. His eyes traveled over to Aerlinniel who had begun fidgeting with her table settings with a pout upon her face. He smiled inwardly at her fealty toward him and his father. As he looked at her, he found himself remembering his dream and he tried to place this grown elleth as the tiny one that he had chased in his father's fields. Had he met this elleth all those years ago or was it just a dream?

Thankfully the rest of the meal went by without any more controversy and though it took a bit to recover, it did with a little help from Lindir who saw to it that the wine flowed, desserts were brought and cheerful music was played.

Afterwards, a gathering had formed around a circular hearth on the other side of the room. Some of the elves stood and talked while others sat upon settees.

Naturally, elves began grouping together into separate conversations which Legolas found much more enjoyable than being on display at the head of Lord Elrond's table. Many of the nobles had gathered to speak with him showing their support in light of the captain's reprehensible statements. While he conversed, Legolas noticed Aerlinniel who had been sitting with her sister in conversation, stood and spoke with Thalen. He tried not preoccupy himself with them but he couldn't help but wonder what was being exchanged.

Thalen gestured to the grand staircase that led down to the landing down by the waterfalls. He then offered her his arm but Legolas noticed that she did not take it. He admittedly felt a tinge of satisfaction that she didn't take his arm. 'Twas a bold gesture for a lady, he thought. His interest was piqued as to what their conversation would hold.

Aerlinniel was happy that the meal had concluded so that she could distance herself from Thalen. Tonight he had been in rare form. Never had she seen such an arrogant display of judgement on his part.

The mood had relaxed as the group had gathered around the fire to chat and sip cordials. Prince Legolas seemed to be enjoying himself as he spoke with the nobles of Imladris. Seeing him here tonight, she mused, brought back memories of his adar's visits. Many an evening was shared with the Elvenking around this very hearth.

She noticed Legolas had many of his adar's striking features: cerulean blue eyes, silvery blonde hair, and a face so fair that it rivaled all others. As he stood amongst the other ellyn she could see he had inherited his adar's proud posture and a smile so lovely and contagious, she had to look away for fear of appearing a fool staring at the poor ellon with a dumb grin upon her face. He shared his adar's knack for storytelling and he seemed quite social though there was a quietness about him that was entirely his own – something veiled, perhaps a vulnerability or shyness. He seemed to wax and wane like his adar - an indomitable countenance one minute and the next he emitted an affable warmth. She found herself meeting his gaze from time to time, which left her wondering what he thought about the evening's disputation. An anxious shiver slipped down her spine at the thought of speaking candidly with the prince. The desire to speak with him was equal to her fear of it. They were certainly off to an awkward start, she laughed to herself.

She sat quietly with Arwen so that she could vent her frustrations about Thalen when to her displeasure Thalen stood before her with expectant eyes. By the look upon his face he remained unaware or was it uncaring, of how miffed she was at his insulting words directed at the prince.

"Aerlinniel, will you walk with me down to the river? Thalen asked veiling his emotion.

Because she was still angry and had a few things to get off her chest, she accepted his invitation though she chose not to accept his arm.

Not this time, she fumed.

As they walked down the steps, Thalen spoke of the crisp air and the scent of fallen leaves; surely his attempt to soothe any ill feelings that had come between them, she huffed to herself. She only half listened to his words; as angry thoughts swirled around preoccupying her mind. She wasn't interested in entertaining small talk with him.

A silence fell over him as they entered the landing between the two waterfalls. The silvery moon had risen high into the night sky, a silent observer to their otherwise private conversation. "Thalen, why did you ask me out here to speak with you?" She implored turning to face him.

Thalen stood before her, tall and looming, not speaking. He sighed and blinked his emerald eyes, which softened as his gaze lingered upon her.

"Why is it you spoke so harshly to me at dinner?" He asked her disappointedly.

Aerlinniel closed her mouth tightly and looked away from him. Her gaze passed over to where the rest of the company was and she could make out the blond hair of the prince who was speaking with her brothers and Estel.

She wondered what reared up in her when Thalen spoke out against King Thranduil? It was more than a distaste for his foul opinion of a dear friend. It had involved the prince. She felt...protective of him. But, why? She didn't know him.

"Thalen, your words were crass and highly offensive to the prince. He is a guest in our home and the ellon had just returned from battle – have you any empathy?"

"He is no elfling, Aerlinniel. He is the son of the Elvenking, he is a mature ellon... A cold one at that," he added with disdain.

"How can you say such things when you don't even know him?"

"And you do?" He said argumentatively, his voice sharp with accusation. Tonight revealed a side of Thalen that she had never seen before. He had always been even in nature and jovial, nearly to a fault. Never had she laid witness to him having a harsh word for anyone.

"No, I have only just met him today. But, he is a welcomed guest in my family's home and surely he found your words offensive."

"And why is it, you should care what the prince thinks?" He spat, his eyes ablaze.

She blinked in disbelief. He had no claim on her to warrant such a challenging tone. "Thalen, why did you ask me here?" She sighed not dignifying his harsh words with any more attempts to explain herself.

He paused for a time and his countenance softened. "I wanted to see how you were... I have missed you," he confided.

She found herself devoid of words. How could he have the audacity to speak of such things after the way he conducted himself this evening?

Voices and laughter wafted down from where the others were above and she wished to be there.

"Thalen, I do not mean to be rude but I would like to return to the party." She said gesturing to the others.

"Aerlinniel, I thought that..." He paused and looked down and sighed searching for his words for a change. "When your father invited me here, tonight, I thought that..." he looked up at her, his green eyes glistened like the slick moss covered rocks of the river below. "You had wanted me to be here." His gaze then fell in defeat.

Aerlinniel's eyes shut as she felt her stomach twist, imagining how that might have felt and she did not wish for him to suffer. She sensed he was fragile and at that moment, she had not realized the depth of his feelings. She reached up and lightly brushed his arm, "Thalen, I...I am sorry." Her voice trailed off in a weak attempt at an apology.

He remained as an oak; tall and achingly still.

"No, it is I that should be sorry." He barely spoke above a whisper and pulled away. "I misunderstood...this." He motioned at the space between them – his voice cracking with the threat of tears. "I should go." He said raising his chin proudly and pressed his shoulders back. He made to leave, but ever the gentleman he offered her his arm.

She smiled through sympathetic eyes but shook her head, "I think I shall stay here for a time."

They stood for a moment just looking upon each other as if it would be the last time. Though they would see each other in passing their friendship would never be the same again. The air of grief passed between them and settled into the air like that of a cloud. He then, dipped his head down in sadness and turned to take his leave.

Have a listen to U2's, Sweetest Thing. It sums up Thalen's stubborn heart for Aerlinniel.

*A note on Estel's /Aragorn's age – With the Battle of the Five Armies occurring in TA, November 2941, and Estel's birthday being TA, in March 2931, it would make him ten years of age. So I took this nugget and ran with it!

I want to thank you for reading!

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