The two boys giggled, glancing around the corner frequently as to not miss the moment when their prank was discovered. The eldest, Legolas, with hair as fair as gold, grinned at his brother, Ascal, who was his polar opposite. He had dark brown hair and brown eyes, contrasting to Legolas' icy blue ones. The sound of a door opening had the boys holding their breath in anticipation. They peeked around the corner to witness their scheme unwind. The rather rotund cook walked through the door, closing it with her hip as her hands were full of broth. She set the pot down on the stove next to the other one and turned towards it. She opened the lid and screamed as she saw the dead mouse. She fled the room as quickly as she could, still screaming. They ran to their bedroom before allowing themselves to revel in their victory. They burst into laughter and high fived each other. They were still laughing and wiping the tears from their eyes when a very angry Thranduil barged into their room. Their laughter immediately ceased as they saw the serious expression on their father's face.

"I am very disappointed in you two. You insist on acting so childishly despite being nearly 600 years old. Do you know what you have done? The cook is done with your antics and has quit, so now we have no one to feed us until I find a replacement. The broth she slaved the entire day preparing is ruined, thanks to you two. I was in a very important meeting and had to leave to deal with your behavior. Now the alliance I was trying to forge was refused. We do not have the aid of that kingdom, and we would have, had you two not decided to indulge in such juvenile acts." Thranduil's eyes were full of rage. His boys were acting more and more like elflings when they should have been starting to grow up. Their pranks had gone on far enough. This was the last straw.

"Ada," Ascal spoke softly in the silence. "It wasn't my idea Ada. It was all Legolas' idea. He made me do it and I didn't want to because it was mean but he said he would hit me if I didn't. I'm sorry Ada. I should've just let him hit me." All of Thranduil's rage was instantly directed at Legolas, who was staring at his brother in shock. How could he lie about such a thing? It was both their faults and he needed to take half the blame.

"Ascal, you can go." Ascal quickly darted out of the door, leaving Legolas to fend for himself. "I am very disappointed in you Legolas. As the eldest, you should be a role model. And to threaten your brother like that? You need to grow up Legolas. As much as it pains me to do this, after this day, you will not even think of submitting yourself to those types of behaviors again." Ascal, who was hiding out in the hall, could clearly hear the smacks of his father's palm against Legolas' bottom. He winced in sympathy, trying not to feel guilty about his brother's harsh cries of pain. After a few minutes, Legolas stopped crying out even though the spanks still rained down on him. At this point, Thranduil pulled up his son's pants and left him shaking and crying silently on the ground. He found Ascal sniffling with tears in his eyes outside. He stooped down and hugged him gently.

"It's ok son. I bet there is some milk we can warm up and put honey in for you down in the kitchens." He held his hand and they made their way down the stairs.

Ascal hesitantly made his way into their room. His belly was full of the goodies that Thranduil had given him. Looking around, he saw that Legolas was nowhere in sight. He sighed in relief and walked further in. Out of nowhere, someone tackled him to the ground and pinned him underneath their weight. His scream was cut short by their hand covering his mouth. Ascal looked up in horror at his brother's enraged face.

"I can't believe you lied to Ada! You pathetic little coward. You should have shared the punishment but instead you played baby. I'm so tired of taking the blame for you all the time just because I'm the oldest! You are not much younger than I and I shouldn't always be the one who takes the blame!" Ascal broke free of his brother's grip and ran towards the door. Legolas grabbed him before he reached the handle and threw him away from it. His brother landed hard on the floor. Legolas stood there breathing hard. When his brother didn't immediately get up, some of his anger turned to concern.

"Onooro…?" He sprinted to his side instantly. Ascal was lying unmoving on his stomach. Legolas shook him hard.

"Ascal! This game is not humorous!" He gasped as his hand came into contact with something wet. He brought it to his face and screamed. Bright red blood was pooling under his brother at a rapid pace. He rolled Ascal to his back. A small dagger was planted fully into his belly as blood gushed out of the wound.

"ADA! HELP! SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP ME!" Two guards burst into the room, weapons raised until they took in the situation. One instantly ran back out to get help as the other hurried to the brothers. Legolas vaguely recognized him as Shantar, one of his personal body guards. He set to work examining the deep wound.

"Legolas. What has happened? Who did this?" One glance at Legolas' pale and guilt ridden face told the story. Before he could say anything else, the King burst through the doors. He ran to his youngest son and fell to his knees beside him.

"Who did this?" His voice was low and deadly.

"Your Highness, I believe it was an accident. I do not believe Legolas meant to-" He was cut off as Thranduil turned to his other son and grabbed him. Before anyone knew what was happening, a harsh slap rang through the room, the force of which sent Legolas sprawling onto his back. Immediately, a bright red mark grew on his cheek. The King was staring at him in hatred.

"You were jealous. Jealous that you got in trouble and Ascal didn't. Jealous that I loved him more and you less. Yes, it's true. If I had a choice, I would wish Ascal to be the eldest. He is stronger than you will ever be. You are weak! A disgrace to the Mirkwood name! And now you have tried to kill him!" Shantar shook himself from his shock at his King's actions. He grabbed him as he threw himself at his son again, saving Legolas from more pain. Legolas took this opportunity to run from the room as the healers rushed in. He ran until he was gasping for breath then kept running. He finally collapsed at the far end of the castle. He had hurt his baby brother. Possibly killed him. His father's words rang through his head over and over as he buried his head in his knees and sobbed.