Swinging wide, the gates opened to admit the elf, a messenger from the borders of Thranduil's realm. Bearing important news, he was taken directly to the throne room where the elf king sat upon his throne.
Sinking on one knee, he greeted the king, "Sire, I bring news from the western outpost, on the edge of the forest, that requires your attention. There have been strange sightings of late, and the land is disturbed."
Thranduil leaned forward, hands on the arms of his throne. "Tell me."
The messenger quickly gave his tidings, reporting on the things that had been heard and seen. Thranduil posed a few questions, probing for more detail and clarification in places where he was incredulous about what he was being told. Toward the end of the interview, his son Legolas walked in.
"Father, if I may have a moment," the younger elf requested.
Thranduil held up a hand, "Wait, let me finish here." Turning back to the messenger, he asked, "And the captain has asked for me to go down there?"
The messenger nodded. "He would like your opinion on how to handle things, to see if he has permission to take his soldiers beyond our borders to investigate."
Sitting back, Thranduil pondered on it. "Leave the room, I'll summon you when I'm ready to give my answer," he finally replied.
Bowing, the elf left, the sounds of his light tread quickly disappearing.
Now that he had his father's attention, Legolas spoke up. "Father, we have captured a company of dwarves wandering through our lands."
"Really?" One of Thranduil's slim brows rose in disbelief. "What business would dwarves have in my lands?" he murmured.
"They claim to be harmless travelers," Legolas said, the slight sneer in his voice giving away his doubt of that claim.
Tapping the arms of his throne thoughtfully, a cunning smile spread across Thranduil's narrow face as he came up with a solution. "Thank you, Legolas, I'll handle the dwarves, but meanwhile, I want you to go with the messenger to see what is happening on the borders."
Summoning the messenger, Thranduil told him his decision, then sent another elf to tell the guards to bring the leader of the dwarves to him. He had some questions for him.
Following the messenger out, Legolas was certain that it would be a while before the dwarves walked abroad again; he didn't know why the dwarves were in Mirkwood, but he had no doubt that they wouldn't speak of their errand out of sheer stubbornness. Hurrying on with his own errand, he brushed aside all thought of the dwarves from his mind; he would have enough to do with trying to act in his father's stead.
