Chapter 2
Thranduil's apartment,
New York,
Thranduil dug through his closet, looking for his shirt. He found the shirt he was looking for, a sky blue shirt with full sleeves. He tugged it out of the stack of his clothing. Something passed through the corner of his eye as he pulled the shirt free and it fell on the floor with the solid thump. Thranduil looked down. It was a small journal, covered with light brown cover.
He fell still for a moment before he shifted his shirt on his forearm and bent down to pick it up. The tie around the book was ordinary twine. The brown cover was much lighter than the time when he bought it, so long ago. The pages were yellowed, and the edges curled inward slightly. Thranduil pulled the knot free and opened the journal at a random page. The elegant German script flowed over the pages. It was his handwriting in the foreign language.
He read the first line: "There was nothing I could do to save that woman. It is a strange thing; when an animal kills, it kills for the sake of survival, food and strength, but when man kills, he reduces himself to something lower than an animal. He becomes a demon."
He snapped the book shut. The memories of World War were terrible and still fresh on his mind. He tried not to remember them. Instead he shut all his experiences of that war in a safe box in his mind, hidden deep in the dark recesses of his mind.
He never felt so old.
He shook his head, and retied the twine over the book before pushing it deep into the closet, hidden from view until the next time he pulled out some clothing.
New York City,
New York.
"Monique said it was definitely poisoned." Riley said, digging his hands into his pocket as they walked through the streets. He cast a disgusted look at Thranduil. "You know, for someone who looks British, you wolf down food pretty quickly."
"I thought hotdogs were made for being wolfed down." Thranduil replied, taking another bite of his hotdog. In spite of Riley's words, he was eating in a pretty civilized manner.
"I can't believe you like that stuff."
"You have to be the first American I met who doesn't like hotdog."
"Do you have any idea how much money Americans spend on that? Millions, Lee! Millions!"
"I heard you the first time."
"Snarky and sarcastic," Riley snorted.
"Just the way you like it." Lee replied after swallowing another bite. "So this gang hangs out in a nearby bar. They are pretty much known to be a bit of a trouble around here. There are rumours around here that they are involved in drugs but cops never caught anything even a wind of it."
"They're the killers."
"Why would you think that?"
"Simple, isn't it?" Thranduil said, finishing his hotdog. "The gang is stuck into something that is, well, dirty. Any gang member who gets in isn't allowed to get out. But Esposito decides that he wants out. But they can't have that. He might want to leave them all but that don't mean he might rat them out. They decide to put him to silence." Thranduil frowned. "That is so boring."
Riley rolled his eyes. "Not everything is related to high terrorists and nukes, Lee."
"That was an amazing case, though, you have to admit."
New York City,
New York.
If there was a shortcoming in New York, it was the sorrowful lack of greenery. The only vast body covered with trees, grass and water was the Central Park. So the concrete-built basement for parking was as cold and unfeeling as a Dwarven hall under a mountain, in Thranduil's opinion.
He got on the elevator, took the ride till he reached ground. He found the doorman loitering about the lobby.
"Good evening, sir!" The doorman hollered at him. Thranduil gave him a casual salute as he passed by him with two fingers on his forehead. "Care for a drink after my shift's over? Me and some other boys around here plan to go to the bar a block down."
"Thanks, but I try not to drink in company." Thranduil said. His voice was just as amiable as that of the doorman. The man laughed but his amusement didn't reach his eyes, which curiously watched his only mysterious and reserved tenant of the building. Thranduil didn't entertain that curiosity. He guarded his name and heritage jealously. He didn't want to know what would happen if word got out he wasn't human.
When he reached his apartment, he pulled out his keys and shifted through them with fingers of one hand, the other holding the mails and its shoulder hoisted up slightly to keep the strap of the bag from sliding off. Once he stepped inside, he closed the door behind him, switched on the lights and pressed the back of his head against it with a satisfied sigh. This was his place of refuge. When he first invited Riley into his apartment seven years ago, he took great satisfaction from the look on his face. Everything was set in a way to make it seem it had more space than usual, with the colours being light and homey. It was very tidy. So tidy, in fact, that he was sure if Galion had ever seen it, he would have been proud of him. he did not care much for décor, except for some paintings hanging here and there, and having a little more artistic taste by draping a throw diagonally over a couch instead of folding it, or perhaps placing small containers and such to hold miscellaneous things in. he had learned to cook too, but only shifted through his usual favourites. He cooked every alternate day, and spent the next day eating leftovers. Placing his shoulder bag on a counter that joined the kitchen and living room together and dropping the mail beside it, he went to his phone and placed the answering machine on run.
He opened the fridge, pulling out pasta and salad from the shelves and placed the pasta in the microwave to heat, all the while paying bare attention to his answering machine.
"Hi, sweetie." Riley's wife filled the silent kitchen and he shook his head wryly. Cassie took it upon herself to look after the 'poor, lonely man' who was 'undoubtedly missing the joys of having a family'. Thranduil could not help but glance down at his marriage ring with a slight pang in his heart. He did miss his wife, and his son. "Riley said that you have been cooped up in your place for so many days-"
"It has only been three days." Thranduil muttered.
"-Why don't you come for dinner this weekend? The kids have been asking for you."
"And who else is coming?" Thranduil asked the machine as the microwave beeped and he pulled out his pasta.
"I have a few friends coming over. They are ladies, so you don't have to worry-" The rest was drowned out in his groan.
"Why can't I be left in peace?" He asked the machine.
"Ok, bye!"
The machine beeped again and Thranduil deposited his pasta on a cooler plate. Getting water from the dispenser, he sat down and dug in, listening to the rest of the messages as he ate.
"You and your people are a nuisance, King Thranduil." Lee choked and sputtered as water went down the wrong way.
"Círdan?"
"Normally I would not have called to tell you this, but given the fright your son-"
"My SON?" Thranduil dropped his fork, listening closely.
"Your son and the others-"
"-what others?"
"-gave me, I thought I should warn you before you make a spectacle of yourself. As for how I got your number, well, I have my ways."
The message ended and Thranduil scrambled for the machine, trying to check the I.D. but the caller was anonymous. Calling back would do no good. He set back heavily in his chair, pasta forgotten.
New York City,
New York.
The sounds of gunshots filled the air. The table that Thranduil had toppled to its side and took refuge behind thudded with each impact of a bullet. His grip on his gun tightened and glanced sideways to see Riley taking refuge behind an upright couch. They were in a bar, well known for a hangout for people whom Thranduil and Riley suspected to have a hand in killing the couple they were investigating. It turned out to be true. He gestured at Riley, asking for backup and Riley nodded in confirmation. Backup was coming, but they had to make it out alive.
"Ya know, ya just had to confront them!" Riley shouted.
"And you just had to pull out your gun first!" Thranduil retorted.
A round of shots fired, cutting off their dialogue.
"I didn't pull out my gun! I just put my hand on my coat's pocket!"
"This is not the time for arguing!" Thranduil bellowed over the deafening sound of gunshots.
He leaned to the side, his gun going up and started to shoot more on instinct than anything else at anything that moved. He was able to disable two hulking men before seeing one of the five men still there bringing out their guns from behind the bar. He hastily took shelter. Riley straightened on his knees, resting both arms on the edge of the couch and shot before taking cover. A satisfying sound of a grunt told the hit went home.
"Nice shot," Thranduil praised him.
"Well better than yours," Riley retorted, "Reinforcements coming in, in five minutes!"
"Let's try to stay alive for now." Thranduil said.
They needed to either retreat or push forward. But the retreat was not possible. There were too many. There were no obstacles to take refuge behind. The only way to move was to move forward.
He pushed the table forward with a hand, able to keep a fast pace in spite of the fact that he was crouched low. He looked up and started to shoot as he moved, making their opponents duck down for cover. He heard Riley shout oaths in the air before hearing a screeching sound of something heavy dragging against the floor and Riley began his own shooting.
He reached the bar and shot the hand of one of the men, making him cry in pain and drop his gun. He placed his hand and lurched over the bar table, catching sight of the four men hiding behind it. He shot down two, and another Riley took down. He searched for the last one but could not find him. The door to the back hung open, a testament to his escape.
"Oi, Lee!"
But Thranduil had given pursuit. None of the men were critically injured, only disabled so Riley could easily subdue them. He ran through the backroom, and through the half-open door into an alley. He saw garbage cans lining one side and he turned away from them, intending to go on the street.
His instincts screamed at him and he turned around, spotting the man standing right behind him, feet apart and gun at the ready. He jumped sideways just as the man shot.
He lurched backward from the impact, pain shooting from his side as the bullet dug deep into his side. An irritated thought that he should have worn a bulletproof vest underneath came in his mind before he registered his enemy was still on his feet and making the last killing shot. Raising his gun, he took wild shots. He was able to catch his shooter on the legs, before a wild shot took him in the chest. The man fell back, and did not move.
"Lee! Lee, come on! Don't you dare die on me! I won't be able to face any of your women if you do." Trembling fingers pushed down painfully on his neck, searching for his pulse.
"I am alive. I am alive." Lee said dryly, pushing Riley's fingers away. "Stop it, you idiot. You act like you care."
"You are bleeding out!" Riley snapped. His one hand pressed down on the wound on his side, making him grit his teeth in pain while the other fished frantically for his cell phone.
"Always so snappish when I get hurt." Thranduil chuckled, before it turned into a groan when the pain became more intense.
"That's called brotherly love, man! Get used to it." Removing his hand, he took off his jacket and pressed it down on Thranduil's wound, making him inhale sharply. "Now, here is the deal. That jacket of mine was Cassie's gift. So try not to end up in a box and I won't have to explain that I ruined a jacket for no worth… again."
"Won't." Thranduil said, rubbing his face with a hand, already beginning to sweat.
"Good. Hang in there, partner."
"I hate getting shot." Lee grumbled.
"You and me both."
The rest passed out in a haze, until a calm face loomed into his vision.
"Detective? We are going to take care of you. You are in safe hands now. We are in an ambulance. We'll take you to the hospital and treat you there."
Hospital,
New York City,
New York.
Aman was a beautiful place to live in. he had his wife, son, his grandson. He had his father with him, and his mother. His friends were there also and he had all his subjects with him living together in a forest the Valar had given to him. But the peace was far too trying to him as the years went by. The thought of wanderlust crept up in his mind until he could not take it anymore.
"You may find the world a different place." Tauron warned him on the day he was supposed to leave. His family had wanted to come with him too but he did not allow it.
"That is why my family is not going with me."
Tauron only regarded him gravely but said nothing. He was not too troubled of leaving Aman, for he had the Valar's permission.
"Who knows? The Weaver has plans for you." Tauron said to him in his final farewell.
When he entered Arda, his ship crashed and he was up shore on land known as Germany. None spoke his language or even recognized him. He fitted in when it came to looks, strong jawline, broad-shouldered and blond hair. But racism was rising and any imperfections were not tolerated, so his grey eyes and pointed ears drew the eye.
The man who found him was an elderly man who lived a life of a businessman. He had wealth aplenty but chose a simple life together with his elderly wife. They both taught him to speak German before teaching him to speak English as well.
"You should know both languages." He wheezed once, coughing. "You never know when they will come of use."
They had no children except for one son who was in his twenties when he died from a sickness. So they took him in, fed him and clothed him, treated him as if he were their son. But then the whispers of a man by the name of Adolf Hitler were circulating. Soon, men came to their door, knocking and asking for their 'son'. They wanted him for war.
Thranduil took part in it. He had a different name then. And he never could forget the looks on their faces when he turned back to see them, how the woman had pressed her mouth on her handkerchief and sobbed, her white hair straying from underneath her cap, the old man holding her tight with his mouth in a grim line as he watched him take them away.
The war that followed was something Lee was never proud of. But the Nazis were vigilant and suffered no disobedience or desertion. He was alone, barely having spent three years in Arda before the war started. He did not know where to go, how to escape. So he kept on, silently defying his superiors by saving a life of a child by hiding her underneath the body of her mother. Or perhaps by hiding an unconscious man in the sewers. He continued these small acts until he came upon a band of Nazis that were against Adolf's principles. He joined them.
He learned over the months how to gather intelligence, to use it against different Nazi Commanders and to, if possible, kill Hitler himself. The plans were unsuccessful each time and he took care to wipe out all trace of himself at each step.
"You are a good man," One of them had said to him in German. They never took his queer look in account. "That is why I hope you survive this."
He did. When the British armies invaded Berlin, he slipped into their ranks, giving himself a new uniform and a new name- a new face if possible. Because in the chaos, such tiny details go unnoticed. When he returned to that sleepy town where he left behind his 'parents', he was greeted by an empty home. Asking around, he found just the extent of their love for him. The woman died in her sorrow just some months after he left, the man who took him in following her soon after. They had left the house in his name, as well as their wealth. He sold the house and the few lands the couple had possessed in the countryside and took his wealth with him to England. His time with the rebellious Nazis paid him well. He forged documents to his name, changed his name to a more British one so that he may be called Theodore Scott (or 'Teddy', since the British were fond of giving nicknames). He built more wealth upon the one he had inherited and as the years went by, he progressively earned more and more money that he kept safely for a time when the goings become tough and he would have a need of them.
And when the times changed and whispers started about him and how he seemed to have an endless supply of money, he knew it was time to disappear. This time he vanished to America, taking his wealth with him, changing his identity. He never forgot the kind couple who took him in the first time. So when he was asked for his name, it became "Lee Kraft". Kraft was a German word for strength, owing to both the German couple as well as the name his father Oropher had given him.
The thoughts came to him in a jumble. Memories flashed through his mind, and his eyes fluttered open. The lights were glaringly bright and he squinted at first before he got used to them.
"Well, look who is starting to wake up." He heard a bright, chirpy voice sound by his ear. He opened his eyes blearily.
"Take it easy, brother. You are in a hospital, fresh out of surgery."
He tilted his head to the sound. Riley sat on a seat beside him, shirt still bloody from the shootout but dry. He had been sitting there for a long time.
"Riley," Thranduil said, his voice hoarse. The man reached for a glass of water and raised his head, holding it to his lips. Thranduil took a few small sips before resting back.
"What happened?"
"Nothing much. You will live. The doctor's verdict is that you responded well to the surgery and you should be home within a few days, depending on how well you behave. Oh, and Captain called. Sounds like you gave many people a fright back in the precinct."
Thranduil chuckled.
"What about you? You good?"
"Yeah, certainly better than what you look like." Riley retorted.
"You should have gone back home. It looks like I am in good hands here."
"Yeah… nah, I wanted to check on you myself."
"No, really, you should have gone back. You stink of blood."
"Careful, you are insulting your own blood." Thranduil chuckled and closed his eyes.
"Riley?"
"Hmm?"
"I do NOT have 'women'." Lee ground out, opening his grey eyes to glare at his partner. Riley had the gall to laugh.
"You still remember that, eh? The pain did not toy with your brain, that's for sure." Riley said. Thranduil rolled his eyes at him. "Remember Lily?"
"Lily?"
"Lily Johns, Cassie's best friend?" Riley elaborated. "She used to be the maid of honour."
"The one who was really touchy-feely?"
"You have to be the only man I know that uses the word 'touchy-feely'." Riley retorted. Thranduil snorted, grimacing when the pain lanced through his side.
"She had no knowledge of personal space." Thranduil replied, voice tart.
"Or she did but looking at you, I can't blame her for forgetting." Riley quipped. Thranduil chortled.
"Excuse me," a nurse said, standing at the doors. "It is time for him to get some rest. You may come later." Riley nodded and thanked him.
"Well, I gotta jump." Riley said to Thranduil, turning his attention at him. He patted his shoulder before getting up. "I stink of your blood and I have some work to do. Captain's gonna want to hear this."
Thranduil grimaced. "Tell her I would give my paperwork tomorrow."
"You ain't going anywhere tomorrow and you ain't gonna do anything." Riley said sternly. "There are things other than work, ya know. I will handle Captain Shaw. You stay put and stay healing." Thranduil smiled up at him. Riley lost most of his accent and street-style ways as he grew up. He grew more eloquent over the years he spent with Thranduil but he slipped back in slang from time to time.
"Alright," Thranduil complied with a low chuckle. He closed his eyes. "I suppose I can't go anywhere."
"Damn right. Besides, you have plenty of holidays and leave you kept hoarding over the years. Might come in handy someday."
"Yeah," Thranduil said, thoughts going back to Círdan's call. When Riley left, the room was blessedly quiet. He glanced at the tray resting on a slim movable table beside him and spotted a glass of water. He reached for it.
Jackson Residence,
New York City,
New York
Cassie insisted that Thranduil stayed over at their place instead of returning to his home no matter how many times he tried to dissuade her. She was incredibly short; barely five foot, but she had a heart of lioness. What she says, the world of the order would go along with it.
The house was a small, modest one but it was perfect for their little family. The living room was littered with toys and Riley led Thranduil carefully through the obstacle-riddled floor. The doors were locked for children's safety and there was a kid's gate nearly reaching Thranduil's hip separating the kitchen from the living room. The babysitter spoke briefly to Cassie before slipping out after saying her goodbyes. Thranduil heard the sounds of a gaming console playing from the boys' room.
"Children, five more minutes and then I want that XBOX switched off!" Cassie called over his shoulder before turning her attention to Thranduil.
"Oh, mom!"
"I mean it!" Cassie warned. "Here, Lee, let us help you take off your coat." They didn't listen to Thranduil's protests. Riley supported him as Cassie gently peeled away his coat. Thranduil gritted his teeth when his side jostled. They led him to the guest bedroom.
"Help him down the bed. Gently," Cassie ordered her husband, fixing him with a chiding look.
"I was planning on being gentle." Riley protested, helping Thranduil down.
"Liar," Lee whispered to him. He had felt Riley's hand loosen, intending to simply drop him on the bed. Just then two boys burst in the room. One of them hopped on the bed and started to jump. The other one hopped on the bed and right on Riley's back.
"Is Uncle Lee planning to stay over?" The boy on Riley's back asked. The one jumping on the bed grabbed on to Thranduil's shoulder, shaking him in excitement. "Will you see my new action figures?"
"Alex!" Cassie scolded, voice rising in a pitch out of worry when she Lee stifle a grimace. "He is not a snow globe, so stop shaking him!" Alex giggled and let go. "TJ! Get off of your father's back right this instant! He is tired and hungry."
In an instant, both the twins were onto their mother.
"So will he?" They chorused, tugging on to her shirt.
"Yes, he is staying over. No, he will not see your action figures right now." Alex's face looked crestfallen.
"I can look at them once I get some rest." Thranduil spoke up from his bed. Cassie glanced at him.
"You do not have to-"
"I am fine with it." Thranduil assured her. Just then Dawn peeked in from the open doorway, her light blue eyes brightening at the sight of Lee. She scrambled to the bed and raised both arms up at him.
"Take me up!" She insisted. Grinning, Lee obliged.
"Hello, little one." He nearly cooed. Thranduil patted her head and she giggled, fluttering adorable eyelashes at him.
"Dawn," Cassie said, pinching her nose between her thumb and index finger. But in a matter of seconds, Dawn already made herself comfortable by Thranduil's side, one hand holding a small toy pony and galloping it through the air. Of all their children, Dawn was the most attached to Lee. The little angel would throw a fit if Cassie removed her now.
"She can stay." Thranduil said softly, resting his head back on the pillows and closing his eyes. He didn't know how tired he was until he lay down on such a comfortable bed. Cassie seemed to have made up her mind.
"Alright, you two, back to the kitchen and finish your milk. Then it's time for bed." Cassie commanded, looking down at her sons like a lioness over her cubs.
"Aw, mom!" They chorused.
"Go, go, go, go, go," Cassie ushered them outside. She paused briefly at the doorway. "Dawn, do not disturb him." She added, voice fading away with her sons. He felt Riley touch his arm and he opened his eyes.
"Hey, man, if you need anything, all you gotta do is holler."
"Will do," He promised. Dawn shifted beside him and continued to play. Riley looked at her for a while and decided to persuade her.
"Dawn, let's go and see what's on T.V."
"I don't want to."
Riley sighed and gave Thranduil a look that said 'I tried' but he waved him off. Riley switched off the lights and left the door slightly open. Within a few seconds, Thranduil drifted off to sleep.
He woke up again when he felt Dawn shift around at his side. He slowly sat up, careful not to pull his wounded side.
"Do you want to go back to bed?" He asked the child. She was rubbing her eyes with a hand, the other loosely clutching her pony. She nodded sleepily. He hesitated before getting up and slowly gathering her in his arms. The short nap helped him regain some strength to support his own weight and that of Dawn, added to his quick Elven healing. The wound pained him, and if Dawn shifted, the pain flared but at least he could walk. She rested her head on his shoulder, hand instantly relaxing and he caught the pony just in time. She was fast asleep by the time he entered the corridor. He heard the clanking of metal from the kitchen and Riley and Cassie's laughter.
"Look who's awake? Lee, for pity's sake you didn't need to carry her!" Riley chided him when Lee entered the kitchen. He immediately reached out and relieved him of his charge.
"Come on, you are going back to the nursery." Riley said to his sleeping daughter.
"We have some leftovers of dinner. I did not want to wake you." Cassie said, opening the fridge. "I made some egg-fried rice, and there is some salad, and some Chinese dish with gravy, the name of which I always forget." Cassie took out the dishes, closing the door with her foot before placing them on the counter. "Sit," she added sternly when he tried to help her.
"I am hurt, not old, Cassie." Thranduil said, grimacing at the irony of his words.
"Just hobble back to your seat and let her do the work." Riley said, appearing behind him, "Move, you idiot. Let me pour out somethin' for you."
Lee sat back in his chair in resignation, his foot accidently kicking an action figure across the kitchen floor.
"Sorry about the mess. The kids manage to leave everything around."
"It's not a problem, Cassie." He had learned long ago to keep a lookout for toys and kids swarming the floor when he was at Riley's place. Lego bricks hurt the most, from a harsh experience.
Cassie prepared a plate for him and placed in front of him.
"Here," she said, smiling motherly at him. "Bon Appetite."
"Thank you." he said quietly, returning her smile.
"Poor Lee. You need someone to add a bit of clutter to your life, don't you?"
"I think I do." He said after a pause. He glanced down at his marriage ring on his index finger. In all the years he spent here in Arda since he left Aman, his connection with his wife was distant and stretched. But now, his bond seemed to warm again, as if his spouse was much closer than he knew.
Oh, Legolas had better not done what I think he did…
Deep down, though, he couldn't wait for them to come.
Author's Note:
Thank you for the reviews!
List of OCs:
Shaw- Captain of Thranduil's precinct.
List of Canons:
Tauron- This was the name of Oromë. He is also called Béma by the Rohirrim. His other name was forester.
Oromë-He was a Vala who discovered the Elves and loved them dearly. His love is in hunting and in riding in the forests.
Weaver- She is the wife of Mandos. Her name is Vairë and her purpose to weave stories of Arda.
Nazis and Racism- Hitler believed in a superior race, which had fair skin, broad-shoulders, light hair and blue eyes. But Thranduil was grey-eyed and his ears were 'deformed', which made him stand out.
Nazis and Army Recruits- Not all the soldiers came willingly. Some were dragged from their homes by force, sometimes even killing their families as well.