Sindarin to English Translations

Aran, Aran-nîn... King, my King

Caun... Prince

Hir, Hir-nîn... Lord, my Lord

Ada, Adar... father

Nana, Naneth... mother

nîn muin dian Las... my dear little Leaf

Hennad, hannon-le... thanks, thank you

Saes... please

ion-nîn... my son

im si... I'm here

Adan, Edain... (the race of) men

Chapter 2

Confusion and terror mingled in Legolas' mind as he raced down the long halls and staircases of the Mirkwood palace. He kept pinching himself, thinking, hoping, he would find himself in his bedchamber and waking up from this dream. But he wasn't dreaming. Everything he had just witnessed was real.

Legolas opened doors and peered into the rooms; his Adar was not to be found in any of them, but Legolas kept looking.

He stopped to catch his breath and squeezed his eyes shut. The image of Thranduil's furious face echoed in his mind. The only other time he had seen him so angry, so hateful, was when Legolas' mother, Celeblessil, had died in his arms. With orcs swarming around them, growling in anticipation of the thought of their next kill.

Legolas remembered that horrible day as if it was yesterday.

Thranduil gingerly put the body of his bonded down and looked into her crystal blue, unseeing eyes for the last time. He had risen to his knees next to Legolas who had been fighting the horde with every inch of grief and fury he felt. They were both covered in the black blood of the orcs and silvery red of their own. Poisoned arrows stuck out of them and they could feel the poison creeping up inside their battered bodies, clawing to take the beating out of their hearts and gripping their throats with a cold hand. Thranduil sucked in a shaky breath before picking up his sword and lashing out with power and ferocity that didn't seem possible; even for Thranduil. Legolas risked a sidelong glance at his Adar and could see his blue eyes burning with such hate, seeming not to feel the blades that cut into his body from all sides, as Thranduil's own blackened blades lashed out with the force of a whirlwind. They had not stopped until they had killed off every last one of the horrid creatures, collapsing on the ground as the poison and the injuries had gotten the best of them. Legolas looked to his Naneth's unmoving body; realization and grief crashed down on him like a mighty wave. His eyes shifted to Thranduil lying on the ground next to him with his eyes closed. Wincing, Legolas saw the shafts of three arrows sticking out of his Adar's body in various directions and an incredibly large gash on his side. Legolas moved the cloak away from the wound and his stomach threatened to revolt at the sight of several shattered ribs exposed by the torn skin. Legolas screamed for help as he fought to stay conscious.

Legolas' mind shifted to the meeting earlier that day. He was still quite shaken from what he had seen happen to his father's face. It had not only been the reveal of the mutilated scar that had opened on his Adar's face but also what Legolas saw in his eyes.

He remembered that that same spark of hate flashed in Thranduil's eyes at Ausocitin's mention of Celeblessil. But it had died out as soon the skin on the side of his face had begun to unravel. The anger had been replaced with a look that Legolas had never seen before in his father; a look that made his heart stop cold and twist with agony.

His eyes had looked haunted; tortured. Like a man who was hunted his whole life and spent every spare second looking over his shoulder. In that moment, Legolas had seen Thranduil's outer shell begin to melt, showing the true horror and agony he had experienced for many long centries.

Most of the time Legolas only looked at the outer shell of his father; the unfeeling, cold-heartedness. But in reality Thranduil built that wall around himself to keep what he felt inside, but also preventing others from coming in.

Legolas remembered with a sad smile what Thranduil was like before Celeblessil had died.

The gentle smile when he looked at his family. The small chuckle when Legolas had gotten caught in his antics. The reassuring hands on top of his when his Adar taught him how to fire a bow. The love and admiration that shone from his eyes when his little elfling had hit the target. Strong arms Legolas could cuddle in when his Nana told him a bedtime story or sang him to sleep.

Legolas' heart ached when he remembered that King Thranduil and the elf he remembered being his father when he was an elfling were the same person. All that love and joy was still hidden somewhere in all those barricades Thranduil spent so much time and energy building up. Legolas had no idea how Thranduil managed to stay so strong, keeping all his life's horror tucked away inside his chest.

Legolas shook his head and continued along the dreary corridor to Thranduil's bedchamber, biting his lip while tears stung the back of his eyes.

The door to the bedchamber was slightly open and Legolas peeked inside.

Thranduil was standing near the wall, gazing at the slab of wood Thranduil and Celeblessil had carved their names into at their bonding. He was wearing a sad smile as he traced the grooves gingerly with his fingers. The muscles in his jaw tightened as he clenched his teeth and closed his eyes. Legolas was a bit surprised when he saw silvery tears streak down Thranduil's cheeks. Then even more surprised when he realized had never seen him cry before, not even when Celeblessil had died.

Thranduil leaned against the wall with his hand closed in a fist. He slowly let it unclench as it slid down the wall. He sank to his knees.

Legolas could restrain himself no longer and ran into the room, sliding to his knees beside his Adar as they wordlessly wrapped each other in a hug. Sobs racked Thranduil's shoulders and Legolas had tears spilling from his eyes and dripping onto Thranduil's cloak.

"Nîn muin dian Las," whispered Thranduil into his son's ear as he rubbed his back. "Im si, ion-nîn, im si."

Legolas smiles at the nickname and buried his face into his Adar's shoulder, taking in his comforting scent. He felt himself travel back in time to when he was an elfling; the same strong arms surrounded him now as they did then. Their heartbeats seemed to mingle, making the most beautiful melody the father and son could ever hear. And for the first time in a long while, he felt truly safe.

In their embrace, an understanding passed between them; an understanding that could not be expressed with words. It didn't need to be.

Thranduil gently pulled away and Legolas looked deep into his eyes.; both of them smiling at each other. What he saw warmed his heart to the very core. There seemed to be a crack in that cold wall that blocked anyone from seeing his true, well-guarded emotions. And from that crack was shining a glimmer of love. Not very much, but just enough to give Legolas hope that he could get his Ada back.

A knock sounded at the door and a reedy, almost winy voice called out: "Thranduil? Thranduil! That paperwork won't get itself done you know! The shipments are supposed to leave tomorrow and you still haven't reviewed any of the forms!"

Legolas' heart sank when he recognized the voice. Ausocitin. They both stood and regained their composure and Thranduil his stone wall, as he muttered some unintelligible things about Ausocitin, none of them too pleasant.

Thranduil walked out of the chamber, his chin up and robe fluttering behind him; the King of Mirkwood had returned. Legolas was amazed how fast Thranduil could recover this attitude and bury everything else. Shaking his head, Legolas took a deep breath and followed his Adar out of the door.

"Thranduil? Who is this Thranduil you speak of?" the King asked in an almost mock-astonished voice.

Ausocitin rolled his eyes. "That's you," he stated, unamused. "As your Advisor I advise you to review the trade forms which are about to be overdue!" Ausocitin talked with little respect, as if he was speaking to a naughty elfling who refused to do his studies than to his King. But Legolas could see a spark of fear in his brown eyes as well, probably fearing what other frightening surprises Thranduil had in store.

Though the incident in the meeting chamber had been completely unexpected, Ausocitin knew he could very well use Thranduil's weakness to compensate for Gindorelle's absence in his little plot against the tortured Aran.

How Thranduil managed to keep a straight face, Legolas did not know. He was too busy choking down a chuckle at his Adar's response to the haughty Advisor.

"The only one I know with a similar name is Aran Thranduil, also known as Hir-nîn or even perhaps His Excellency. Now if you will excuse me, me and my son are not to be disturbed any longer."

"As long as I am Advisor, you will heed my warnings, and now I am warning you to attend to the paperwork immediately!" Ausocitin grabbed Thranduil's arm as he began to turn away and Thranduil gave him and ominous glare, and leaned close to his face.

"Then I will be glad to inform you that you are no longer my Advisor," Thranduil said in an almost malicious voice. He noticed Ausocitin's hand letting go of his arm and move to straighten his robe. Thranduil turned on his heel and began walking away before turning back around to adress the ex-Advisor again. "And i wouldn't risk carrying a weapon when you are near me. I could arrest you, and don't think I'm not tempted to." With that Thranduil marched away, beckoning for Legolas to follow.

They left Ausocitin with his jaw hanging open, and muttering curses against Thranduil's keen eyesight.

oOo

It was a dark night. Lanterns hung from the trees, illuminating the fruits that grew there with warm glow. The multi-storied castle stood near the small orchard, the light from the windows adding to the glow of the lanterns below.

An arrow thunked into the target, perhaps two finger's widths away from the exact center. Thranduil frowned. "I seem to be lacking practice," he stated flatly.

Legolas smirked as his own arrow made it right onto the dot that marked the center of the target. "It seems so, Ada." He couldn't help but smile uncontrollably. Here he was, practicing archery with his Ada, just like they did when he was an elfling.

Legolas raised his aim to the extremely small stem that connected an apple to its branch on one of the fruit trees. Taking his time, he then let go of the string, and before he could blink the apple was falling to the ground.

Not even a second later the twang of a bowstring could be heard followed by the familiar thunk. An arrow had pierced through the middle of the apple and was sticking out of the target, as if it had been pierced mid-fall. Legolas turned to see an unmistakeable smirk on Thranduil's face.

Legolas took it as a challenge and turned to the oak tree, about ten paces away. He chose an acorn and let the arrow fly, this one too, sending the small nut tumbling to the ground.

Thranduil raised his eyebrows as if to say: "impressive!". Thranduil turned back to the target, aiming then firing. Legolas' jaw almost dropped open as he saw that Thranduil's arrow had dissected his own arrow at the center of the target. Thranduil winked and they both erupted into easy chuckles.

The fun and games was over as Thranduil froze stock-still and cocked his ear to the forest, listening. Legolas followed suit. At first he could hear nothing, but then he heard it: rustling; not by the wind but by some living creature. The sound was very faint and could barely be heard even with his sharp, elven senses. "Probably just some blasted spiders. I can finish them off soon enough." Legolas began arming himself with more arrows and knives.

"Your not going alone Legolas, there may be more than you anticipate." Thranduil's stern look softened. "I'm coming." The rustle sounded again, much louder this time.

"No, Ada. It would be better if you gathered a small party to help me take care of it. I'm guessing you really do have to take care of some paperwork?" Legolas placed his hand over his heart and bowed his head in an elven hug, already knowing he had won this time.

Thranduil sighed. "Yes." He looked back at his office window with distaste. "Very well. Take care, ion-nîn." He gave his son a rare, warm smile before hurrying inside to get Captain Denisale.

oOo

Ausocitin watched the pair with disdain from one of the second level castle windows that overlooked the orchard. It didn't last though, he felt unusually happy this evening; he had persuaded another elf to join his little crew that were already engaging in The Plan.

He watched as he saw Legolas gather arms and head into the forest, to the southeast. Thranduil was coming into the castle through the door beneath him.

Ausocitin rushed to the top of the staircase to hear Thranduil speaking to one of the servants.

"Find Captain Denisale and ask him to report here to me immediately. Tell him that there is a nest of spiders in the southeast that need to be taken care of, saes."

"Of course Aran-nîn."

Ausocitin could hear the servant shuffle off. He smirked. What an unexpected turn. This he could use to his advantage.

He began to move away from the window, a juicy addition to the Plan already forming in his mind.

oOo

The closer Legolas crept toward the sounds, the less convinced he was that they were spiders. He stalked silently through the darkness, darting from tree to tree. He pulled his hooded cloak down, wanting to make sure it would conceal his natural elven glow from being seen by— well, whatever it was.

He cocked his head as if listening, and squinted, the usual murmuring of the Song absent in this darkening part of the forest.

Torchlight. Torchlight? Strange. And horses? Yes, and horses too. A dull thudding. Hmm. What could be making that noise?

Legolas came as close as he could to the camp without risking himself being seen. Voices. Low voices. Men. Yes, he decided. A camp of men. But so close to the palace? They had never come this close before.

Legolas got a strange feeling in his gut and he suddenly felt he needed to hear what the Edain were saying. His heartbeat was rapid and he could feel adrenaline rushing through his veins. Was he scared? No. No, he was worried. Not for himself. Legolas looked back in the direction of the castle. No, he was worried that the Men were so close to the castle. He was worried for his father.

Quick as a flash, Legolas was swinging up onto the branches of the tree closest to him. He then leapt to the next tree, and the next. All the while getting closer to small clearing where the barbarians were setting up camp. He only stopped when he had broad and clear view of the temporary settlement and could clearly hear their voices and descern what they were saying.

The camp was quite small. Tents were being set up as close as they would fit. The dull thudding noise was made by a man pounding a tent's peg into the ground.

There were approximately fifty men that scurried around the camp. Most were gathered around the campfires and were all dressed in torn and sooty clothes. Legolas could tell by the scruff on their cheeks that they hadn't been there too long and were constantly preparing for something so they hadn't had time to shave.

A few horses snorted and stamped away mosquitos, still harnessed and connected to covered wagons. Men were unloading a variety of weapons from the wagons. Legolas could see many swords, battle axes, and spiked hammers, as well as some bows and quivers of arrows.

Legolas' blood ran cold when he realized what could be happening. He took a deep breath and scolded himself for jumping to conclusions. But he couldn't help the pinching in his gut that told him something was wrong.

Legolas returned his attention to the bustle of the camp as an Adan had begun to speak.

"Distribute the weapons! We know not when the order may be given. We must be ready at all times. Ashtan! We need firewood. May as well chop one of these trees; they're pretty much dead anyways. Gilgan! You will be our messenger to the other camps."

Other camps? Legolas gulped nervously.

The man who had spoken had a gruff but authoritive voice; obviously the man in charge. The two men he had addressed saluted and were now going to fulfill the tasks he set out for them.

Legolas' eyes widened when he noticed the Adan adressed as Ashtan was making his way over to the tree Legolas was perched on, swinging an axe.

Legolas looked around desperately for an escape. He could just jump to another tree; they would surely see him. Maybe if he waited 'till the tree had begun to fall, and then jumped...

His legs vibrated as Ashtan hacked away at the tree which was already bending due to the fact that he was halfways through the trunk and it was bearing extra weight.

Finally the tree began to tip forwards. Legolas prepared for the jump and aimed his landing to a nearby branch. Now! He pushed his legs from the tree, but was suddenly jerked back by his neck. The cloak that was fastened to his throat had gotten caught on a branch and prevented him from moving. He was stunned by the sudden cut off of air and let out a strangled gasp. The tree crashed down on top of his chest and torso, pinning him to the ground. He moaned in pain as the gravity squeezed his body between the heavy trunk and the ground.

His quiver of arrows pierced into his back and black spots rimmed his vision as he struggled to breathe. The men began rushing to him, weapons in hand. He knew he had not the time nor energy to try and push the tree off of him.

Legolas reached to his back with his right hand, unsheathing one of the duel blades; he could barely even feel his left hand which entangled in his cloak and pinned under the tree.

Several Adan advanced on him at once with cries of surprise. Legolas was able to parry the blades that had struck out towards the top of his body. With his legs he kicked several men in the chest and legs and sending them sprawling.

All the motion had caused his hood to fall off, exposing his glowing face. "It's a bloody elf! Get 'im! Get 'im!" The man in charge was yelling now.

Legolas heard a familiar twang of a bowstring followed by an excruciating pain that erupted in his right calf. He yelled out and blocked the blades more ferociously, warm blood soaking his leggings.

His vision began to spin and his arms throbbed. Just then Ashtan rushed towards him, two-handing his sword and with the point aimed down, as if to end the struggle. Legolas thrust his blade sideways, metal clanging on metal, and causing his opponent's sword to pierce the groun instead. Ashtan seemed unphased by his miss and quickly pulled out a dagger. Legolas aimed a punch at his face, but Ashtan dodged it, giving Legolas' free arm a nasty slash.

The elf panicked. He was now unarmed and was barely able to breathe and move. "Saes!" was the last thing he was able to say before Ashtan administered a violent jerk with his dagger to Legolas' thigh, right above the knee. He screamed as his whole body throbbed from the lack of circulation. He struggled to regain the air he wasted on the scream, fighting the welcoming arms of darkness that looked over him.

Legolas noticed movement out of the corner of his eye and shifted his gaze just in time to see a sword handle moving towards his forehead. Everything went black.

oOoOoOo

I want to thank anyone who reads this and I hope y'all enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it ;) like I said, I love getting feedback so feel free!

Yay! A longer chapter!! :D I'm determined to get each chapter at least 3k words (this ones a little over 4K 0.0), but then again, I'm sort of making this up as I go so don't worr; even I'll be surprised of what happens next xD

Unfortunately, real life does get in the way of writing, but I love to do this and spend almost all my free time working on it. Even so, updates might take a bit longer than this.

-DakotaPevensieGreenleaf

P.S. Just thought I'd mention that I wasn't going to write the part of Legolas going into the forest until the next chapter, but I was in the mood for a cliffhanger :7 (I'm in that mood most of the time actually xD)