It was almost midday when Elrohir was roused by a stirring in his arms. Sunlight streaming into the room hurt his eyes, and it took him a while to realise the late hour. There was more movement, and he saw that the Elfling was starting to awaken. Nightmares had assaulted the little one again that night, and he had woken in the dark of the night, screaming for his mother. Elrohir had held him tight, smoothing away his tears, and sang to him long after he had fallen back into sleep.

The Elfling yawned, blinked, and snuggled his head deeper into the curve of Elrohir's neck. For the first time in years, a smile spread across Elrohir's face, and an alien sense of felicity descended over him.

"Good morning, Roh," Elladan said, and Elrohir almost jumped to see him sitting in a chair by the bed. Elrohir greeted Elladan with an inclination of the head and a questioning gaze.

"I am glad to see the wounds healing," Elladan said, rising. "Ada left for the Shire this morning, and left Erestor in charge."

"The Shire is on the way to the sea!" the Elfling said, suddenly alert.

Elrohir smiled again, and tried to entangle himself from the Elfling.

"I had not realised you were awake, Lass-tithen -- little leaf --."

The Elfling's eyes grew wide, and there was a sense of desperation beyond their surprise.

"How did you know?" he whispered.

"Sorry?"

For a moment, the Elfling's brow furrowed, but he pushed it away and struggled to gain some composure.

"Only Nana ever called me that. She always said I was her little leaf."

"I apologise. I did not know," Elrohir said, wondering why he felt such a sudden sense of dread whenever the Elfling mentioned his mother.

"I like it. May I call you Roh, then?"

Elrohir chuckled. Faced with such a bright, open face before him, something swelled in his chest, and he found himself smiling again.

"Of course," he said, kissing the Elfling on his crown. "Now, would you like some breakfast?"

Elladan beamed, gladdened by Elrohir's transformation. Just a week ago, he had been despairing at ever getting Elrohir back to his old, cheery self, but today, the weariness that weighed him down was far and remote in the crisp morning air with the sun streaming in through the windows.

Left alone with the Elfling as Elladan rushed to the kitchens, Elrohir regarded him for a minute. There was something intriguing about the boy that he could not quite put his finger on. Perhaps it was the way he tried so hard to speak like an adult for one so young.

"How are you?"

A red flush rose in the Elfling's cheeks.

"I am fine! Do not treat me like --"

"A child?" Elrohir said, not removing his gaze.

The Elfling's eyes dropped, and he muttered something under his breath.

"From where do you hail?" Elrohir said.

The Elfling looked up, and for the first time, his lip trembled, while a look of uncertainty came across his face. This was Elrohir, a mighty Lord of Imladris, who would laugh if he told him the truth: that he was a son of Kings, that Legolas of Eryn Galen, son of King Thranduil, was waking up in the middle of the night, crying, from dreams that he could not even remember. He would be a disgrace to his father and his people, and he must not ever allow any of Lord Elrond's family to find out.

"I cannot tell you."

Disappointment lined Elrohir's face.

"I only want to help you."

Legolas frowned. "Thank you for saving me, but I cannot and will not tell you. Perhaps your kindness will be repaid one day."

Elladan appeared with a large breakfast tray, and chuckled when he saw the identical look of anticipation that dawned upon both their faces.

Elrohir made a brief check of Legolas's injuries before allowing him to sit up in bed and handed him a bowl of porridge, which he wolfed down with enthusiasm.

The rest of the day passed by pleasantly, and the twins found themselves being forced to regale their young patient with tales of Imladris. It was their first real interaction with Legolas, and they both found him to be charming, gentle and intelligent. Even Elrohir was ceasing to think of events that had plagued his mind over the last few years as he named the many tributaries of the Bruinen, and spoke at length about the early adventures of the twins.

After a light dinner, Legolas pleaded exhaustion and asked to be left alone. Despite his misgivings about the nightmares, Elrohir left, not wanting to hurt his pride by doubting whether Legolas would be able to spend the night on his own. So, he had placed a kiss on the Elfling's forehead and left the room, allowing himself to recall the feeling of the small child's arms around his neck as he was bidden good night.

*

It was just past midnight when Elrohir's anxiety grew too much for him to bear, and he yielded to his urge to check on the Elfling. Mayhap he had woken up in the middle of the night needing a glass of water. He would not know how to light the lamps nor find the pitcher of water Elrohir had set down in the adjacent sitting-room.

Just like an old lady, he thought to himself as he pushed open the door.

He let out a muttered curse as he saw the empty bed. A quick search of the room revealed the long dagger to be missing and a hastily-scrawled note thanking the twins for their hospitality and imploring them not to seek him out.

Charging down the corridor to Elladan's room, Elrohir almost screamed in frustration. How could he have let this happen? He should have sensed that Legolas had simply been trying to send him away so that he could flee.

"Dan!" he shouted when Elladan opened the door, face hazy with sleep.

"Calm down, Roh," Elladan said, taking his shoulder while trying to discern what the matter was.

"Lass has run away!" Elrohir said, more coherent this time.

Elladan sprung into action, pulling on his clothes and weapons as Elrohir paced his room like a caged bear.

"Relax, Roh. He will not have gotten far."

"I only hope that he has not! I should have known he would not be so easily dissuaded! After all, one as determined as to get --"

"Roh, you cannot help him in this state. Let us check the stables first."

Elladan's level-headed assessment of the situation proved to be accurate, as they found that a small white mare had been sprung from the stables.

"We can track him easily if we knew which direction he was headed in," Elladan said as they leapt onto their own steeds.

"West," Elrohir said. "He wanted to go to the sea."

Three hours later, the twins had yet to catch up with Legolas. Elrohir was about to remark on how fast the Elfling had gone when their keen eyes spotted a rider in the distance. As they drew closer, the moonlight revealed that it was indeed Legolas hugging her back, his golden hair reflecting the pale light that lit up the plains.

Urging their steeds on, it was a while before they managed to catch up.

Elrohir let out a loud whistle as they drew closer, and the white mare startled upon hearing his familiar voice. In doing so, her half-conscious rider slid off her back, meeting the earth at horrifying speed.

Elrohir jumped off his own horse, and picked Legolas off the ground. He was relieved to see there were no other injuries save for a rising bump on the small Elf's head.

"Why did you come?" Legolas croaked as he opened his eyes to see Elrohir staring down at him.

"Had we been any later, you would have killed yourself from this foolishness!" Elladan cried.

Elrohir shot him a glare to silence him as he turned back to Legolas.

"Come, Lass, you are hurt. Let us return to Imladris."

"I cannot!" Legolas cried.

"Stop this stubbornness of yours!" Elladan said, but Elrohir cut him off.

"You are cold, Lass."

Legolas drew in a shaky breath of air.

"I must go West. I need to go to Nana."

Elladan and Elrohir looked as if they had been struck down as comprehension hit them: he was trying to reach Aman to be reunited with his mother.

Recovering his composure, Elrohir wrapped Legolas up in his cloak and held him close.

"Not now, Lass. Not until you have recovered."

"Please --" Legolas said.

"Rest." Elrohir placed a palm over his eyes and sent out a wave of magic, causing Legolas to sink into sleep.

Standing, Elrohir turned to face Elladan.

"Careful, Roh. We do not know the whole story," Elladan said.

Elrohir scowled. "I know what I heard. He is so young, but is made to feel the pain of separation."

"The only thing we can do is to make sure his wounds heal, and that he does not try to leave again. The rest will come in time."

"I only hope that it would be so."

*****
Sindarin Translations:
Lass-tithen -- little leaf
Nana -- mama/mummy

A/N: Legolas's identity is revealed (although I admit it was fairly obvious), as is his motivation for running away. Let me know if you think his refusal to tell his name to the Imladrin Elves is too unbelievable.