Legolas began his plea of innocence almost at once. "I am sorry, ada, only I fell and—"

Thranduil slid down the bank of the ditch and knelt down next to him. "There is nothing to apologize for, little leaf. We all trip once in a while."

"A-are you angry with me?"

"Of course not! It must have been a beautiful butterfly."

Legolas looked at his ada. Thranduil smiled. He did not look angry at all. Thranduil gently helped him sit up. "Well, your ankle is only twisted. I am going to twist it back into place. It might hurt."

Legolas let out a soft cry as Thranduil quickly jerked his ankle. Thranduil kissed him on the head. "That was not so bad, was it, ion-nin? I am glad you called me."

Legolas gulped. "I-I was not going to. I-I was scared you would be angry I ran off. I-I was scared you would beat me."

Thranduil was silent. Legolas still did not trust him.

"B-but then I remembered how gentle and kind you are and—and I-I thought maybe you would not be so angry so I-I called you." A few tears slid down Legolas's cheeks.

Thranduil felt his heart escape its chains. He hugged Legolas tight. "And you were right, my little leaf. I could never be angry with you over an accident. Come; let us go back to the cherry orchard."

Thranduil stood up. Legolas tested his weight on his ankle before he took Thranduil's hand and followed his adar out of the ditch. They walked back to the cherry orchard. Legolas pointed to the butterfly that had lured him away. "Look, there is the butterfly, ada. Do you know what kind it is?"

Thranduil looked at the butterfly. "I do. A butterfly just like that lured me away from Harune once when I was little. That butterfly is called a painted lady."

Harune was waiting for them at the edge of the orchard. "The sun is high, my lord. Come sit down and eat lunch."

"May I come to?" Legolas asked.

"Of course," Harune said. He walked to a colorful blanket spread out in the grass and sat down. He looked nervous and he sat stiffly.

"What is bothering you, ada?" Thranduil asked.

"I-I had a letter from my sister, my lord," Harune said, staring at his hands.

"Was it—was it bad news?"