Never Realizing

Prologue : Like Father, Like Son

“Legolas, I am worried about Elfaer,” Fanya said quietly to Legolas as she paced the balcony of the talan that Legolas had built upon the family's arrival in the Undying Lands. She stared in the direction of her son’s talan, with an expression only a mother can accomplish when worried for her child.

“What, love?” Legolas replied vaguely.

“Legolas, will you stop fletching your arrows for one minute?” Fanya snapped at him, whirling around and marching right over to his side.

“I suppose...” Legolas heaved a long, dramatic sigh before turning his face up to his wife with a teasing glint in his eyes.

“I said,” Fanya emphasized, “that I’m worried about Elfaer.”

“And why would you be worried about our son?” Legolas asked while pulling Fanya by her hand down to sit across his lap. He kissed her shoulder lightly and waited for her answer.

“He’s just doesn’t seem the same these days. He’s not...”

“Social?” Legolas finished for her.

“Yes, that’s it. He’s not social, or even less than normal. I’ve not seen him in days and neither has Anaria or Celeblaer. That’s not like him. He at least shows his face every once and a while, even if he doesn’t involve himself…”

“How do you know who he really is?” Legolas challenged.

“I’m his mother. I know everything about him,” Fanya answered firmly, practically without thought. Legolas smirked, the juvenile twinkle still in his eyes. “What?” Fanya asked defensively.

“I think you’re overreacting,” Legolas replied.

“Overreacting? I am not.” Fanya cocked her head arrogantly. “I don’t think you’re considering the situation entirely.”

“Considering what? Love, our son has just not been seen for a while. Perhaps he finally has eloped with his lovely Virana to go and ravage her at the cliffs.”

“I refuse to entertain the idea that my son would ravage anyone.”

“Well, Fanya, I’m certain that you’ve heard a phrase before...” In a quick maneuver, Legolas had flipped and pinned Fanya to the ground and was hovering over her body. “Like father, like son.”