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Do not own any of Tolkiens characters – am not trying to make money
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To the reviewers – thank you for all of your support! Here we are. I hope you all enjoy!
~CHAPTER ONE~
"Let me go."
Elrond's eyes softened at those words as he stared at the young man across the room. Aragorn was the incarnation of restless. His hair was a tousled mess and his clothing had seen better days and nights. Now, worn and torn, he looked in no state to travel without a nights rest and Elrond glanced sidelong at Glorfindel for a similar reaction.
The blond met his gaze, though he gave nothing away and merely inclined his head.
"Let you go?" Elrond replied, returning his gaze to the ranger, resting his hands on the scrolls beneath his hands.
"Yes." Aragorn replied, "I am of better use there than here."
"Estel."
Elrond's tone already told the ranger all that he needed to know, yet he bowed his head and prepared himself for the lecture anyway. The Lord of Rivendell continued.
"You are in no condition to go gallivanting around the borders of Rivendell slaying orcs."
Aragorn tensed his jaw and stared hard at the ground.
"I can be of use-"
"No." Elrond cut in ere the man could complete his sentence.
"But-"
The glare silenced him, severing all notions of a plea and closing a door on the conversation. Aragorn dipped his head and turned toward the door, Elrond's eyes dropping back to the scrolls once again as the ranger left the room. Glorfindel straightened away from the window and glanced across at the other Elf Lord.
"Mayhap-"
"Saes, I need not hear it from you, Glorfindel." Elrond waved a hand in the direction of the blond, ere returning it to touch his forefinger and thumb to the bridge of his nose.
Glorfindel's eyes narrowed slightly as he gauged the reaction, "As you wish."
"How long has it been, Glorfindel?" The Lord asked as he rubbed his forehead.
"A month, my Lord."
"Of course, time escapes me." Elrond dropped his hand and stared down at the scroll.
Glorfindel merely dipped his head, turning toward the door as Erestor knocked and entered, dark eyes tired as he stepped forward. Glorfindel and he exchanged a look, both sparing a glance at Elrond ere their eyes met again. Both knew what the other was thinking. Waiting to be acknowledged the Elf stood still until Elrond lifted his eyes and smiled slightly.
"Erestor, what might I do for you?"
"A message has arrived for you, My Lord." The Elf reached into the folds of his robe and extracted a neatly addressed letter, handing it over to Elrond.
The Lord took it with a raise of his eyebrows, glancing at Erestor for answers. The Elf was impassive. Dropping his eyes the surprise and interest died in Elrond's eyes and a shadow passed over his face and when he spoke, his voice was low and far away.
"I see."
The sunlight cut across the skies in sharp shards of light, breaking over clouds and bringing about a new day. Legolas tilted his head, staring out at the thick woodland of Mirkwood from the balcony of his chamber. His pale blue eyes trailed over the trails of the forest and once again, he greeted the emptiness, as he did every morn. A frown still pulled at his brow and his eyes darted as he searched depths far deeper than that of the woodland.
"Not like this…" the words echoed in his mind, memories he had long placed aside, if not pushed.
A knock to his chamber door caused him to jerk from his thoughts and turn his head sharply. He already knew…..
Thranduil stalked up and down the chamber, a map in one hand, a letter in the other. His eyes darted from one text to the other, long blonde mane swirling as he turned at the open door and walked back toward the window, footsteps echoing loudly. The Elven King paused, let his eyes run over the length of the map and turned again, pausing mid-step. He then raised his eyes slowly and let them settle on the lithe figure of his son, standing in the doorway, large eyes fixed upon his father.
Thranduil raised his head and stepping toward the large desk, placed the map and letter down atop a pile of various other scrolls and parchments. He then beckoned his son forward.
Legolas squared his shoulders as he stepped into the room, placing his bow and quiver aside he let his eyes drift around the chamber. He could already feel the tension curling inside of him. He had avoided such a confrontation with his sire for many weeks. Such a thing had been possible as his father had been engaged in numerous council meetings, barely able to find a minutes peace with his son ere a disaster struck somewhere in the dark wood. He had not even been present when his son had returned, but then, that was to be expected. His father was a busy King, and Mirkwood was darkening with shadow and threat. Even his return had been closely watched and guarded as he had been escorted to his home from the borders of Mirkwood by his father's guard.
Rivendell's support would be greatly appreciated and staring at his father as the King adjusted the papers upon his desk, he prayed it was Lord Elrond that he wished to discuss. Thranduil glanced at his son with a gentle smile that any other would have stared agape at. The King was not known by others to have possessed much of an affectionate nature, only a hot temper.
"Legolas." he stepped toward his son, extending both hands to the Prince's shoulders and gripping him firmly, looking him over as he did so.
"Adar." Legolas dipped his head, raising a hand to touch his chest.
"Such formality," Thranduil smiled, releasing his son, his eyes lingering upon his child a moment longer than intended.
Legolas took it as a rhetorical statement and was grateful when his father turned his back. He released the breath he had been holding subtly, clasping his hands loosely in front of him, head slightly bowed.
"I apologise for my long absence, I was delayed."
The King scoffed, "By that ranger friend of yours, I've no doubt." There was a lilt of humour in Thranduil's voice and he did not notice the flicker of sadness in his son's eyes.
Legolas dropped his gaze, staring at the floor, brow furrowed, "Yes." He replied.
"And how fairs the House of Elrond?" Thranduil asked as he gazed out of the window, gripping his hands behind his back as he lifted his head, surveying the forest.
"They fair well, father." There was not a moment's hesitation.
Thranduil, back turned to Legolas, allowed his eyes to narrow slightly.
"Do they?"
Legolas froze, his eyes lifting from the floor. That tone of voice, that disbelieving, patronising tenor…his heart lurched. Thranduil turned, just as Legolas managed to dissolve the dread from his expression.
"That is not what I have been told." The King replied, his tone dropping.
Legolas glanced across at the desk ere he turned his eyes to his father, remaining impassively calm. Thranduil frowned slightly, took a step forward, his large regal form threatening. The prince did not shy away and met his father's stare blankly, that familiar sense of indifference blanketing his mind and heart. His father then did something extremely unexpected and reached out a hand, catching his son's chin in his hand. Legolas refused to recoil and instead he managed to blink and stare blankly at his father.
"You need not defend his pride, Legolas."
The elf prince frowned slightly, and he managed to incline his head, conveniently extracting his chin from his father's fingers.
"I do not know what you mean." He replied, his voice soft, unchallenging.
Thranduil arched an eyebrow, "I am well aware of Elrond's son's condition."
Legolas felt a lump formulate in the back of his throat and he unconsciously stood straighter. His heart twisted in his chest and panic caused the blood to roar in his ears…Valar…if his father knew of Elrohir, then he must have known of-.
"I think it most noble of you to have tarried to remain with the young elf." His father smiled, and then his expression sobered, "Though a letter would have weighed in your favour."
"I apologise." Legolas replied, as it was the answer his father wanted to hear and the realisation brought with it a sense of relief.
Thranduil's eyes still searched his son's face and he nodded, "See that it does not happen again. I would like to know where you are in times such as these."
"I know, father." Legolas replied, lifting his eyes once more.
When their eyes met, both gazed at each other quietly, Legolas searching his father's eyes for suspicion whilst the King probed deeper. The moment was a torment in itself and the young prince felt time passing by as slowly as the immortal years.
"You look different." Thranduil commented suddenly, an air of detachment to his tone, yet also a strange emotion Legolas could not place.
The prince blinked innocently and inclined his head.
"I have not slept much." he admitted, deciding to slide pieces of the truth into his façade.
"Why is that?" the King demanded, eyes piercing as they stared hard at his son.
"I am restless." Legolas replied, shrugging.
Thranduil said nothing and continued to stare, eyes darting as he searched his son's face. Legolas could feel the tension inside of him sinking into every bone and he clung to the strength he had mastered, the empty detachment he had constructed. A figure appeared in the doorway, Legolas could sense the new presence.
"My Lord."
"Not now." Thranduil growled and Legolas felt his heart skip a beat.
Valar…saes…
Legolas held his father's gaze, he would not withdraw. The presence still lingered behind him, and the prince could sense the unease.
"I'm sorry, my Lord. But your presence is required immediately."
"I am speaking with my son." Thranduil broke the eye contact and sent a chilling glance at the elf that dare defy him.
The elf dropped his eyes and swallowing, delivered the message he was ordered to. "Orcs have swept past our western primary defence."
"What?" Thranduil's eyes widened and he stepped past his son, allowing Legolas the chance to close his eyes tightly and clench his jaw.
"We require our Lords command." The elf continued.
"How did this come to pass?" Thranduil bellowed angrily.
Legolas stepped away, allowing his father's angry voice to fade away as he stood near the window, vaguely aware of livid barks and calm replies. Tilting his head he stared out at the forest, focusing on the breath of the wind against his face as it swept past. But then, his attention was drawn to a particular demand of his father and he whirled around.
"Law!" Legolas practically demanded, his voice resonating in the room.
The elf at the door glared at the prince wide-eyed, an expression of shock and apprehension written into his face. Thranduil turned very slowly, his fierce eyes wide with astonishment at the outburst. He clearly demanded an explanation. Legolas shook his head and composed himself.
"Place some of our guard on foot, others in the trees and perhaps some on horse back, we have advantage and might even break up their hordes."
Thranduil appeared as if he had been slapped, "What did you say?"
"You cannot drive them out of Mirkwood." Legolas replied, a stern resolution shrouding the desperation in his voice.
"I will not risk the lives of our people if it is avoidable, Legolas." The King frowned.
"Nay, not our people." The prince bit back, realising too late his blunder and disrespect.
Thranduil's eyes flared and the elf at the door shifted nervously. Legolas stared back, praying that his father's stubbornness would give way to some innate trust in his son's words.
About to speak, Thranduil was cut short by the other elf.
"My Lord, our guard are sparsely scattered, we require assistance from Rivendell."
Legolas's heart dropped, though not once did it show on his face and he was grateful, for his father was staring at him intently once again. He did not understand his son's wild outburst, nor the reason in his words. Thranduil frowned ere he glanced at the elf.
"Send word to Lord Elrond, SI!"
The elf hovered a moment longer, "And the guard?"
"Remove the threat from our borders." Thranduil replied.
"Law!" Legolas's eyes widened with shock and he stepped forward only to have his father do the same thing, nearly colliding with his son.
The King's eyes were fierce and silenced any further words from his son. The elf at the door left immediately, footsteps echoing down the passageway. Legolas clenched his jaw and stared hard at his father.
"Saes."
Thranduil glowered, confusion and anger in his eyes.
"I will speak with you more ere this day is over." The King then turned and strode from the room, barking an order at a passing elf, who immediately joined his King's side, readily taking mental note to dispatch messengers to all borders of Mirkwood and ensure that Rivendell was informed.
Legolas stood alone in the chamber, his eyes wide, his chest heaving as he breathed. Glaring at his father's desk he tensed his jaw then turned, gripping his bow and quiver ere he strode from the room, determination in the depths of eyes he thought dead. Two words haunted him.
Never again...
~Sindarin Elvish Translations~
Adar – father
Saes – Please
SI – NOW!
Law – no!
Short, I know. I apologise, I had an hour free after working and wanted to post this to show my appreciation. Thank you so much for your responses to this sequel. I hope to post often, please bear with me, lots of work on my head and not much in it! ^_^! As always, PLEASE REVIEW.
Silver Thorne
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