A/N: Here I am again with another story at last! this one is completed and will be uploaded regularly because I love you! It's a Legolas and Thranduil story set during his childhood during one of what I figure are many attempts to sicken the Greenwood before the successful attempt made by Sauron. This is also sometime after Melkor/Morgoth but before Sauron made an appearance. enjoy and reward with reviews!
Chapter 1
Thranduil stood cradling the hot cup of tea observing his son silently. If the boy knew he was there he didn't show it. He was staring out at the forests from what was now considered his personal balcony. Open to everyone he was so often it's occupant others left it to him alone. Thranduil was pleased to see his young child commanding such an easy respect from those around him. He was not happy, however, by the strain tired look his son bore as he stared out at the forests. Some had asked of his welfare during the day for his distracted manner.
"What bothers you my son?" he settled beside him on the bench noting how the boy didn't look away from the distance.
"The trees of course, can you not hear them? They way they're muttering and moaning while the others are cut down." He rubbed at his temple aching from the days of having to listen to the shrill shrieks of the forest as it was defiled.
"No my son I cannot, at least not the part of the forest you speak of, not from this far"
"What do you mean? Are their voices fading from you?" For the first time Legolas turned to look at him worriedly.
"No, nothing fades for me nor are they any quieter to me than any other elf. You my son have always had an unusual sensitivity to the forest. Their voices reach you from afar when other elves cannot hear them. The part of the forest that plagues you is over two days ride from here. Drink this, it will help" he handed over the cup of tea just now cool enough to sip. Legolas eyed it warily.
"It contains some sleeping herb in it doesn't it? You've been talking to Tiriel again about me not resting enough" Legolas sniffed at the tea listening to his father chuckle.
"Yes we have talked, but no there is nothing in the tea but tea. I find that when times are bothersome tea with one whom cares for you a pleasant distraction. Do not let the forest worry you, the orcs will be destroyed soon and you will have quiet again" Legolas shook his head.
"That is not it, not just these orcs. The Greenwood is changing, we all see it. The voices of the trees grow hushed or silent. Each day I hear another turn malevolent. I was in out hunting some conies for Maedras and there were men in the woods and the called the forest, my home, Mirkwood, not the Greenwood anymore" Thranduil sighed. Oft he had heard the Greenwood referenced as Mirkwood of late and it greatly disturbed him and thus he'd kept the ill tidings from his son. Many a meeting had been held regarding the sickening of the forest but no answers had been found.
"Long has the growing shadow been on my mind though I had fought to keep such worries from you. Long and hard my warriors fight but still the darkness is growing." Silence settled between them filled with their mulling.
"Let me go. I can take a small company and search for the source of the sickness. We can cleanse the forest before darkness takes root" Thranduil closed his eyes sighing with disappointment. He had not wanted to hear this, not from his young, only son.
"No my boy, I cannot ask that of you, you have seen but not experienced battle, I could not ask such a hard quest from you"
"You doubt me…" he gaze flicked back to the forest expression depressed.
"Never little one, there is never doubt of your ability but I am your father, there is not an army or fortress that can ever keep you safe enough, it is a fear that is my right to possess, justified or not" Legolas gave a small smile at the insight.
"I can do this father, trust me, give me a chance to save my home" Thranduil looked long and hard at his son looking so young, so hopeful and determined.
"Present to me your plans to me at breakfast. How many will you take and who will they be? Where you will search? I do no promise to let you go but I promise to hear you out and decide after that" Legolas beamed as his father stood glancing up at the night stars.
"Thank you father! I won't disappoint you I promise!" Thranduil couldn't help but chuckle at the youthful enthusiasm.
"You never disappoint me my little Greenleaf, but even if this quest I do not give you do not be disturbed. Be at ease knowing that hard times are a thing comes, and goes, we will get through them as we always have." He pressed his forehead to Legolas' smirking at the crinkled scowl at the childhood nickname. The empty cup of tea hastily shoved into his unexpecting hands the young elfling ran off to plan his mission.
"Is he really ready?" Daemos stepped from the shadows bearing a guilty grin.
"I am sorry m'lord I did not intend to eaves-drop"
" You may not have come to eaves-drop but you quick to change were your intentions when the opportunity presented." He set aside the teacup.
"That they did"
"Now tell me, is he ready for such a quest? This answer I do not know for I only see my little Greenleaf so young and tender." Daemos chuckled.
"Were any of us ready in truth? Too much can only be learned off the training fields. But if you persist for an answer I believe his skill with blade, bow and wood lore is more than ready for such a test" Thranduil squeezed the bridge of his nose. "Not the answer you desired."
"Can a father ever be expected to desire hearing his son, only son, is ready to go to battle, risk death and harm?"
"No, nor can you expect to hold him back forever. These are not the forests of Lorien or Imladris. He cannot afford to remain in childhood for long, vile as the fact is we must raise our young fast and hard here."
"I have lied to my child have I not? These dark times that cover the Greenwood, taint it, they are not going to pass as they have in the days of old will they?" He gazed into the twilight shadowing the forest a strange feeling sinking into his bones.
"I cannot say, oft the despoil has seemed endless and without hope only to pass. Perhaps it is the small but many acts of those like young Legolas that hold back the tide and draw the dawn"
"Has such thinking helped ease your mind in the past?"
"It has. Give the boy a chance. I am most curious to see who he chooses to accompany him. If nothing else keep your own wisdom and let your mind be at ease this night" Thranduil secluded himself in his chambers his evening meal left untouched and his mind disobediently burdened by that which would come with the morning meal. He wondered at the changing of his lands. Dark and unwelcoming they robbed the children of their true childhood. Too soon too fast they were forced to grow up and fight for their lives. He felt lucky that they'd hid the troubles from the older of their elflings this long. They did not know of the warg packs seen roaming the forests, or the spiders that had dared creep into the tree tops within the city itself sending a wave of panic through his people. Too soon did morning come, hurried by deep contemplation. With the growing dawn his prepared the morning meal, a small pleasure he kept from his attendants, for his son knowing he would wake with the hearty aromas.
"Good morning father"
"Good morning my son, I trust you rested well?"
"Indeed, I have been thinking long on where to start…"
"Hush, eat your breakfast" Legolas pouted and cut into his meal fervently. It was not until they sipped a cool tea after their meal that his father allowed him to discuss his ideas.
"Where do you intend to begin? With the wargs?" he suggested knowing that the presence of the warg packs was the most apparent threat at the time.
"At first that had been my plan but the longer I thought of it the more I felt that the work must begin with the spiders for their webs deepen the shadow beneath the trees which the orcs and other foul creatures prefer allowing them to spread faster and I have noticed also that all the tainted trees are those that the spiders have woven their webs spreading the poison" Thranduil felt a spark of pride.
"That is a good insight. How large would you make your company and who will make it?"
"I thought it best to keep a small agile company when versing spiders. We will travel light and fast targeting the spiders and mapping out the regions with the greatest poisons while searching for the source."
"The plan seems sound but who have you chosen to fight with you?" The more his son spoke the more the ill feeling settled into his gut. He could not find good reason to refuse him.
"I have selected Maelo, Hadras. Hallas, Maelorn, Miklos, Rindil, Taegon and Raegon and Bellosi"
"Hmm, that is a fair mix indeed. All are worthy warriors and honorable elves however I would leave Bellosi and Raegon and bring Daemos and Valaris instead. It is good to bring aged skill and wisdom to any quest that they may guide you. And there is none matched in the healing arts while traveling than Valaris.
"But Father, Bellosi and Raegon are…"
"I know my son but grant this one request for a fearful father. Take Daemos and Valaris instead"
"How can I ask them to take orders from me Father? They have fought battles from the time of Morgoth! How could they respect the command of an untested child?" Legolas swirled the last sip of tea in his cup dismayed.
"My dear child there could be no better reason to have them by your side. Do not fear their words for pride but rather draw on their age and wisdom. Let them teach you and you will earn their respect and loyalty."
"Then I may go Father, if I take Daemos and Valaris?" Thranduil could not withstand the look of hope and determination that filled his eyes.
"Yes, the quest is yours" Legolas burst from the table to prepare for the journey.
"I fear I am going to regret this"