Legolas slipped quietly into his room, changed into his nightclothes and crawled into bed. He was about to drift off into reverie when his ears twitched and caught the faintest sound of someone in his room. He moved quietly and crouched till his assailant was almost upon him, but just as he was about to spring into action he heard a familiar voice.

�That would be unwise ion-nin.� Thranduil said quietly as he noticed his child ready to attack him, though he knew it was because Legolas hadn�t realized that he was in the room. �Well pen-neth I�m glad I�m able to finally talk to you. You�ve been gone for the first three days of Yule. Where have you been my Greenleaf?� Thranduil asked as he sat down on the edge of the bed.

The prince moved from his crouched position back to sitting on his bed and putting his legs back under the covers. He bowed his head, then shook it and said, �I�m sorry Ada, I can�t say.� Legolas looked up slightly at his father.

Thranduil quirked an eyebrow at his child�s words. �Can�t or won�t Legolas?� He asked having a feeling that he knew the answer already.

�Won�t Ada. I�m sorry.� Legolas said as he sighed and stared down at his covers again.

�So am I ion-nin. Tomorrow you will join me for breakfast, then you will join me in the schoolroom to answer for your disappearance. Get some sleep now ion-nin. Sweet dreams pen-neth.� Thranduil told his child as he placed a kiss on Legolas� forehead and stroked his child�s hair.

Legolas sighed as he heard his father�s proclamation then settled down under his covers. He smiled weakly at his father as he bid the prince goodnight. �Goodnight Ada.� He said softly as he closed his eyes.

The next morning when Legolas opened his eyes, he groaned at seeing his formal wear set out for him. The tunic, leggins and shirt weren�t so bad, it was the pale blue formal robe that was a pain. It had a high collar that was stiff and itchy. Legolas got up though and donned the clothing. He went to the table that held his circlet and was surprised to see a green velvet box sitting on the table. He opened it and lifted out the circlet made of holly leaves and berries. The golden haired prince placed it on his head and found that it was quite comfortable. A strong hand settled on his shoulder, startling the elven archer slightly. He turned and looked into the face of his father.

�Do you like it ion-nin?� Thranduil asked as he touched the circlet lightly.

�Aye Ada, thank you. I can wear it in place of my regular circlet?� The prince asked not quite sure if it was only for one day or not.

A smile appeared on Thranduil�s face as he nodded and said, �Aye Greenleaf. For the last three days of Yule you may wear it instead. Come, it is almost time for us to break our fast and I do not wish for us to be late.� The king put his arm around Legolas� shoulders and turned the prince guiding him to the door of his room.

The fresh scent of pine wafted through the air as the royal pair walked down the corridor to the dining hall. Pine boughs, bows, candles and bells had been placed strategically around the palace. As they entered the dining hall, the king heard a small gasp from his child. A large tree had been set near the front of the room though it had no decorations on it at all. The decorations that were throughout the rest of the palace were included here as well. The chairs also had large gold colored cushions on them and seemed to stand out with the rest of the room. There was a white table cloth on the normally bare dining table and a wreath of holly leaves and berries with a large white candle in the center of it was the centerpiece. The scent of the food that was being cooked for the feast tonight filled the room with it�s spicy goodness.

Legolas turned to his sire, excitement evident in his eyes. �Ada, are we going to decorate the tree after we are done breaking our fast?� He couldn�t help the way his voice got a little loud as he asked causing a few of the staff to grin knowing that it was the excitement of Yule.

�Nay ion-nin we are not. I believe we have something to take care of in the schoolroom first, then we can decorate the tree.� Thranduil said with a hint of sadness in his voice. He watched as the excitement drained from his child�s face and disappointment take it�s place. He also noted a few glares from his staff at dousing his child�s happiness.

�Ada, I feel that I shouldn�t be punished. I am no longer a small elfling. I am a warrior.� Legolas said as he looked up and kept a steady gaze on his sire. He could see the nervous looks from the staff as everyone seemed to await the king�s answer.

�I see. Let me ask you a question ion-nin. When you were with the fellowship, did you ever leave the group without informing them of your whereabouts?� Thranduil asked after a lengthy silence.

�Of course not Ada. It would�ve been dangerous to do so. We had to be sure of each others whereabouts so that if we needed to leave quickly, we could without leaving someone behind.� Legolas answered and scoffed slightly not understanding the point his father was trying to make.

Thranduil shook his head at his offspring�s tone. �Ion-nin, have you ever been allowed to leave without getting permission or at least telling someone where you were going?� The king asked trying to show his point another way.

�No Ada, but that was when I was younger. I�m�� Legolas started but was immediately silenced by his father.

�A warrior. Yes I know you�ve said as much already. Legolas, just because you believe yourself to be mature doesn�t make it so. You still have to follow the rules as you always have and one of those rules is to tell someone where you�re going.� Thranduil admonished.

Legolas opened his mouth to say something else when something outside the window caught his eye. �Ada, look.� Legolas said in a hushed voice as if he spoke any louder it would ruin the effect.

At the hushed request, Thranduil looked and smiled when he saw snow falling. �Aye my Greenleaf it�s snowing. You don�t wish to go out in it do you? I mean a fine warrior like yourself.� Thranduil said with a twinkle in his eye.

Pink colored the younger elf�s cheeks at his words being handed back to him and he ducked his head slightly. �I understand your point Ada. I�m sorry.� Legolas said softly, then looked up at his father with a small smile on his face. �Now could we go out in the snow? Please?�

Laughter filled the hall. �Alright my treasure, finish you meal first and then we can go outside, then we are going to the schoolroom.� Thranduil said as he started in on his meal.

A soft sigh emitted from the prince, but he felt happy that at least he was going outside first. He ate quickly so that they could go outside sooner, then stopped suddenly. �Uhm Ada, we aren�t dressed for outside.� He said as he reached a hand up and scratched lightly at his neck.

�You may change first then when we come back in, you can change back into your formal clothes and meet me in the school room.� Thranduil said calmly as he finished his breakfast.

Legolas bolted down the rest of his food then took off only to be stopped by his father clearing his throat. He slowed and managed to leave the room at a slow walk. Once out of his father�s sight he took off at a dead run. He changed out of his formal outfit and laid it carefully on his bed. He wasn�t about to get scolded for leaving his clothes a rumpled mess for the staff to find. Once dressed, he left his room and headed outside.

He looked around outside and wondered where his father was. As he turned to go back inside to search for his father, something cold immediately hit his backside. He turned with wide eyes to confront his assailant and grinned when he saw his father. �That wasn�t nice Ada.� He said as he crouched down and made his own snowball.

Father and son pelted each other with snow for the better part of the afternoon, till Thranduil finally said, �I think we are quite ready to go in now. Wouldn�t you say so pen-neth?�

�Aye Ada, I am quite ready.� Legolas said as he tried to hide a yawn. He followed his father slowly inside trying to disguise more yawns as he did so. A moment later he felt his father�s strong arm about his shoulders.

�Come ion-nin, I believe someone is getting tired and we still need to go in the schoolroom.� Thranduil said as he rubbed his child�s arm and led the sleepy prince inside.

They walked into the schoolroom and Thranduil sat Legolas down at one of the barely used desks. He walked over to the larger desk picked up a sheet of parchment and an ink well with pen, then set it on the desk in front of his son. �I know you�re tired ion so all I want you to do is make a list of things you want or want to do for Yule.� Thranduil said and smiled knowing his son wouldn�t be expecting it.

The golden haired prince looked up quickly at his father wide eyed and puzzled. �Ada? I-I thought you were g-going to make me�� Legolas said and paused as he saw the amused look on his father�s face.

�Write lines? I was at first, but something told me that your disappearance for the past three days might have something to do with how close to the final night we are. I will allow it for now. You�d better start working on your list pen-neth.�

It was later that evening and well past the evening meal as two blonde elves decorated the large tree. The staff helped as well holding the ladder when either father or son ascended or descended it, giving one or the other bows or bells or strings of berries to place on the tree. When it was back they both stood back to admire their work. �Well ion-nin I think we both did a very good job don�t you?� Thranduil asked as he placed an arm around his son�s shoulders.

�Aye Ada I do. It is very nice looking and I�m sure the villagers will like it when they see it.� Legolas answered then yawned. �I�m sorry Ada, I think I should go to bed.�

�Perhaps you have matured ion-nin. I remember not too long ago having to almost drag you to bed during Yule, now here you are willing to go. Are you sure you don�t want me to drag you off to bed.� Thranduil said and chuckled lightly.

�Quite sure Ada. I seem to remember my having to sleep on my stomach on those nights you had to drag me to bed. I�m quite capable of going tonight.� Legolas answered with a soft laugh of his own.

Thranduil laughed louder at this and pulled Legolas into a warm hug. �Alright then, goodnight ion-nin. Pleasant dreams to you.� He said and released his son. When Legolas turned to leave though, Thranduil landed a light swat to his son�s backside.

�Ada!� Legolas exclaimed as he looked at his father horrified.

�What ion-nin? Would you have preferred I made it harder?� Mirth was still evident in the king�s voice.

�I would�ve preferred you not to have done it at all Ada.� Legolas mumbled as he headed from the hall to the corridor that led to his room.

The last day of Yule found the palace bustling with activity and Legolas was gone once again. The king contented himself with the fact that Legolas most likely had a good reason and that if he didn�t he would throttle his child the next day. He went about signing a few things and making sure his gift was under the tree. When he sat down he frowned as he noticed the empty space over the fireplace. He motioned one of the guards over. �Dahleren, what happened to the large painting that hung over the fireplace.� Thranduil asked sharply. He watched as the young guard looked towards the empty spot then look back at him slightly nervous.

�I-I know not your majesty. I-I will look into it immediately.� Dahleren said as he hurried off.

Thranduil had a feeling he was being lied to but couldn�t prove it. As the day wore on he became more frustrated as his son still hadn�t shown himself.

It was a few minutes before the feast when Legolas showed up a bit disheveled. He went straight to his room to straighten up and appeared before his father a few moments later. �Ada, I can explain, but you�ll have to wait.� Legolas said then hurried to explain further at the look on his father�s face. �Your present is the reason why I was late. When you see it you will understand.�

�I hope so Greenleaf.� Thranduil said as he motioned for his son to sit down.

It was during the feast when the guards came into the room with someone in their grasp along with the missing painting and a large wrapped object. They brought the protesting elf before the king. The villagers that had been invited to share in the festivities all stopped and watched the scene. �Sire we have found out what happened to your painting. It seems this painter had it and he claims he was returning it. What shall we do with him sire?� One of the guards asked.

�Let him go please. Ada he�s telling the truth. I am the one who brought the painting to him. Please I beg of you.� Legolas said as he stood hoping to come to the older elf�s rescue.

Thranduil was quiet as he stared at first the painter, then the painting, then the wrapped object and finally at his son. His gaze remained on his son the longest. �Ion-nin explain what is going on.� He said finally.

�Ada I wish you to open your Yule gift first. It will explain everything.� Legolas said as he walked over to the guards and picked up the wrapped package. He walked over and handed it to his father and waited holding his breath.

He quirked an eyebrow at the request, but Thranduil nodded, took the present and opened it. His eyes filled with tears as he stared at the portrait. In the middle was Legolas with his pale blue formal robe on and the circlet of holly leaves and berries and next to him was the king himself. Around it were smaller pictures of Legolas, as a child growing up. �Oh Greenleaf, this-this is wonderful. I see now why you were gone for so long each day and why the painting disappeared. Thank you pen-neth it is a lovely gift. I shall hang it where the other had hung, over the fireplace.� Thranduil said, his voice thick with emotion as he stared at his son. He opened his arms to the younger elf.

Legolas went readily into his father�s embrace. He sighed happily grateful the painting had gotten done in time. He pulled away slightly and stared into his father�s green eyes. �Ada, I�m glad you like your gift. I got worried it might not get done in time. Do you forgive me for being absent now?� He asked and smiled knowing what the answer would be.

�You need not ask that pen-neth for I�m sure you know the answer. I have a present for you as well ion-nin. It�s the large one over there.� Thranduil said as he pointed to a large present. While Legolas went to get his present, Thranduil dismissed the guards and watched as slowly the villagers went back to what they were doing before the small excitement.

Legolas walked over to the tree with as much control as he could and brought the present back to the table. He tore into it with the exuberance of a much younger elf. When he opened the box, Legolas lifted teary blue eyes to his father as he lifted out a new bow and quiver full of arrows. On the quiver Legolas noticed that there were words written near the top. He read them, then looked at his sire once again. �Thank you Ada, they are wonderful.� He then placed this gifts on the table and threw himself onto his father�s waiting arms.

�You are quite welcome pen-neth.� Thranduil said softly as he hugged his son closer to him. Each was content and remained that way for quite a while, neither concerned at the moment of what anyone else thought.

The words on the quiver? �Happy Yule my Greenleaf, love Ada.�