Thank you to joellamariah, jijifiji, Narsil_Anduril, fateclaws, Tocki07, and nathalieAlice for commenting and voting on the previous chapter! I love you guys. 

Legolas peeked over the top of his book, drawing his legs closer to him in his chair. Jade and Mervyn had gone home in a shower of gifts and laughter and the palace seemed empty without the twins to fill the room. His lips twitched at the sight of Ailunai leaning on Thranduil's shoulder, laughing into his eyes. Her feet were up on the armrest of the sofa, her hand under his chin.

The elfling felt as if he gazed at a picture; a picture of the two people who had created him yet a picture where he had no place. A picture where he did not belong.

Legolas ducked his head as tears welled in his eyes. Ailunai had taken his place. He had never been a part of her life, after all.

Careful not to make noise, Legolas left his book and made for the door. He froze as Thranduil asked, "Going to bed so early?"

Legolas knew his voice would crack as he discreetly dried his face. "Yes."

He heard Thranduil shift. "What is wrong, little leaf?"

"Nothing," Legolas said. Then he sobbed, "Everything."

He buried his face in Thranduil's lap and cried. "I feel—I feel like you have ignored me since nana came back. It is not the same anymore and I-I miss you."

He felt Ailunai's hand rub his back and sniffled. Thranduil said, "You are right in saying I have made a mistake in forgetting you and I am sorry. In my excitement at being with Ailunai again, it did not occur to me I was ignoring you."

"Your life will not go back to as you remember it," Ailunai said gently. "But that does not mean it will not be as full of happiness and adventure. You have two people who love you now and we will always be there for each other."

"Union created you, Legolas," Thranduil said. "You are a blend of me and Ailunai. Knowing that, we could never neglect you."

Legolas raised his head from Thranduil's lap as Ailunai said, "It is true once it was only Thranduil and I on this sofa. But it is time to begin a new life and you are part of that life."

She took her feet off the armrest and sat up, making space between her and Thranduil. She patted the cushion. "Come sit."

Thranduil flicked the tears off his cheek as Legolas snuggled between his parents, finding a new kind of warmth.

OoOoO

Legolas stretched and yawned as he traveled the hall toward his parents' bedchamber. It was strange to think it used to harbor only his father yet he liked the doubled warmth of Thranduil and his mother.

It comforted him knowing he was still welcome in their bed.

The elfling pushed open the bedroom door, almost jerked from his drowsiness by the flickering light of candles. He rubbed his eyes as he stepped into the chamber and stopped as heard a noise.

Soft, passionate kissing.

Legolas glanced at the bed. The sheets had slipped down and gave him a clear view of his father's naked back. His hand snatched the doorknob as he stumbled back. Ailunai and Thranduil both sat up as he slammed it and fled.

Minutes later, after throwing on dressing gowns, Thranduil and Ailunai were stopped by Harune as he admonished, "I told you to lock the door."

"Not the time, ada," Thranduil said, and hurried past him.

He found Legolas hunched by heart, staring at the empty grate with his legs drawn up to his chest. The elfling shied away from him as he sat down, trapped between him and Ailunai.

"Do not touch me!" Legolas cried.

Ailunai and Thranduil recoiled. Legolas buried his face in his knees. Thranduil said gently, "I do not think you understand what you saw."

"Go away," Legolas mumbled.

"You can tell us if you think it is disgusting," Ailunai said.

Legolas's shoulders shook. "No—no—I do not know what I think anymore. Lord Katar had a wife. I-I could hear her screaming sometimes—see them on the bed. After she died, he—he hurt me to."

Ailunai reached out a hand. When he offered no resistance, she drew him into an embrace. Legolas rested his head on her breast and cried, curling small into the cocoon his parents' bodies created around him.

"Do you think Thranduil would hurt me?"

Legolas faltered, "I-I do not think so—he does not hurt me. But . . . I-I do not want him to hurt you!"

"I would never do anything to your mother that I would not do to you," Thranduil said. "You know that."

"I am so blessed to have a son who cares so much about me," Ailunai said, smiling. "I understand you do not know much about unions but it is okay; we are here to explain it to you."

"Does it—does it hurt?"

"No. Union is a beautiful thing and I am sorry you were exposed to people who turned it into something ugly and abusive. Our union made you. Do you think something that that brings about new life is ugly?"

Legolas shook his head. Ailunai said, "In Mirkwood, we honor union."

"Are you ready for bed now?" Thranduil asked. His hands were soft on his back as Legolas snuggled closer.

The elfling nodded. He hesitated as Thranduil picked him up but his father understood. "The next time Ailunai and I want the bedchamber to ourselves, we will hang something off the doorknob so you know not to come in. But we will never lock the door and, in an emergency, you know you can come to us."

Legolas rested his head on Thranduil's shoulder. "Yes." He yawned, his eyes glassy with reflections. He fell asleep with the knowledge he was loved.

Some sweetness at last!

Thank you all ever so much for reading! I love that you stay with me and enjoy each chapter through irregular updates when life takes over.

Next Chapter: The twins have some negative feelings about being home.