Elrond sat across Thranduil a desk was between them. Elrond had rode to Mirkwood for a meeting about the situation in the forest. But now that it was over they were just sitting there talking. They had always been good friends even though Elrond disapproves of the way Thranduil is taking care of Legolas his only son.

A knock sounded on the door leading into the office.

"You may enter." Thranduil said calmly and looked up at the door.

A messenger entered. "My king the patrol from Dol Guldur has just arrived."

Thranduil nodded, "Summon Legolas to report immediately."

"But, my lord-"

"That's an order." Thranduil retorted sharply.

The messenger bowed and disappeared out the door. They could hear his footsteps retreating towards the front door.

Thranduil's anger started climbing the longer time went by before Legolas came. He had said immediately and now Legolas was ignoring an order. Almost half an hour went by before they heard Legolas' slow footsteps nearing the office. He stopped for a second to breathe before entering the office.

Elrond saw with worry all the blood on Legolas' clothes and bandages showed through holes in his shirt. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes held deep exhaustion and pain. Legolas bowed forcibly and then held both his hands behind his back to hide that they were shaking.

"Do you realize how long time it has been since I summoned you?" Thranduil said angrily, but Elrond could see worry buried deeply in is eyes. "I could have been dead by now if someone had tried to murder me! I gave you the order to come immediately."

"I'm sorry my lord." Legolas said his voice was shaking.

"Don't waste my time!" Thranduil retorted, "Report!"

"The orcs had scattered the patrol that had been sent to guard the border for a couple of days. So we've used the month to drive the orcs back across the border and even a bit farther." Legolas responded expressionlessly.

"I need a more detailed report." Thranduil commanded.

Legolas eyes dropped for a second before he opened them again and began telling in details what had happened. By the time he was finishing he was openly trembling and having trouble keeping standing.

Thranduil nodded thoughtfully, he tried not to notice Legolas' struggle, but it was too clear. "Since you drove the orcs back I will allow your patrol to take two days rest."

Relief was evident on Legolas' expression, he didn't know if I accounted for him as well, but he was happy that they were getting at least that. They were all exhausted and all of them were currently in the healing ward having their wounds looked at. Legolas had been there as well before being summoned, or rather he had been there unconscious and they had forcibly woken him up after the king had commanded his presence. The elves in his patrol were complaining loudly and looked as though they were ready to start a fight when he had woken up.

"You're required for paperwork in those two days and a meeting will be held tomorrow with Lord Elrond where you also need to be present." Thranduil said.

Legolas was about to nod when Elrond said, "There is no need for Legolas to be at the meeting, in fact I had been hoping to talk to you alone Lord Thranduil."

"Is that so?" Thranduil said thoughtfully, "Then it will be as you ask."

Legolas sent a grateful look at Elrond, who smiled back at Legolas. Then he turned to his father. "Do you require me for anything else this evening my lord?" His voice was getting weaker.

"No, you're dismissed."

Legolas bowed slowly and staggered out the door. Elrond looked worriedly after him. Then he turned to Thranduil, "I will retire as well."

"Of course, I'm sorry to have kept you." Thranduil said.

Elrond smiled and went out the door, once out of the room his expression turned to that of anger and worry. He hurriedly walked down the hall Legolas' steps had reseeded from. He didn't walk very for before he saw another elf, he recognized to be one of Legolas' friends, holding the unconscious form of Legolas. Elrond hurried over to him and felt Legolas pulse. He found it weakly beating beneath his fingertips.

"Take him to his room. I need to get my bag." Elrond said hurriedly to the worried elf. Then he walked back to his own room and retrieved his bag with healing supplies.

S

Thonor heard from one of Legolas' patrolmen that Legolas had been summoned to the king's office two hours ago. He grew worried when the elf also told Thonor about Legolas' condition he ran out he ward and towards the office. It wasn't long before he heard staggering footsteps coming in his direction. He almost froze when he saw Legolas but then he spun into motion and reached Legolas to catch him. He had swayed and then would have fallen to the ground if Thonor hadn't caught him.

Panicked Thonor checked Legolas' pulse and then lifted him into his arms so he could carry him to the healing ward again, but at that moment he heard other footsteps coming from the direction Legolas had come from. Thinking that it was the king Thonor steeled himself. He was never going to give Legolas to the king.

He was surprised however when what he recognized as Lord Elrond rounded the corner and ran up to him. He felt Legolas' pulse and told Thonor to take him to his room before running off after some kind of bag.

Thonor blinked when he had gone, but decided to follow Lord Elrond's instructions since he knew that he was the best healer in Middle Earth.

He quickly walked into Legolas' room and put him on the bed. He undressed Legolas down to his breeches. The sight of his wounded body shocked Thonor.

At that moment Lord Elrond came into the room. "Legolas…" He whispered shocked and moved over to the bed. He spent a few moments assessing his wounds and then he turned to Thonor.

Elrond opened his mouth to ask, but then stopped. He didn't know his name.

"I'm Thonor, Lord Elrond." Thonor said when he saw the question on Elrond's face.

"Sorry. Thonor can you warm some water?" Elrond asked politely.

"Of course. Tell me if there is anything else I can do to help." Thonor said went to get some water.

S

Legolas wearily opened his eyes. He was in his room at home; it was the ceiling he had woken up to many times. It took a few moments for him to remember how he had gotten there. Then he remembered, the patrol, his father, paperwork, collapsing everything.

He found that his wounds now only throbbed dully, and he knew instantly that he was getting drugged with pain-relieving herbs. He ran his hand over his eyes and looked around the room. He was shocked to see not only Thonor but also Lord Elrond sleeping in chairs around his bed. He quickly sat op, waking the healer. Elrond shot up hurriedly and lowered Legolas back onto the bed when the color left his face.

"Don't get up yet." Elrond scolded gently. "You're exhausted and lost blood. Your body needs time to recover." It wasn't the first time Elrond had helped Legolas during his shot visits. He had tried long ago to make Thranduil realize what he was doing to his son, but nothing had worked. The way he used Legolas had only gotten worse and now Elrond was thoroughly worried about his state.

Legolas closed his eyes and breathed deeply trying to overcome the nausea and dizziness. Elrond saw him struggle and held a cup of water to his lips which Legolas gratefully drank from.

"Easy." Elrond said and took the cup from Legolas again. He noted with worry Legolas' paleness. His pulse was still weak, but luckily there was no fever.

"What are you doing here Lord Elrond?" Legolas asked slightly panicked, "What of my father? How long have I been asleep?"

"Shh… calm down." Elrond said, "I took care of your wounds and it seemed like I fell asleep in your chair. Thranduil does not know that I'm here and he has no knowledge about your condition. You have only slept through the night, you should still be sleeping in my opinion." Elrond answered lightly.

"I apologize Lord Elrond." Legolas said.

"There is no need for you to apologize Legolas, I did this through my own choices though I hadn't expected to fall asleep." Elrond chuckled, "How many times must I ask to call me Elrond."

Legolas smiled as well, "Apparently one more time."

"Your friend Thonor here was deeply concerned for you." Elrond said as he looked over at the other chair where Thonor was still sprawled across. "Don't tell him, but I smuggled drugs into his tea." Elrond winked at the grinning Legolas.

"I heard that." Grumbled the half sleeping Thonor.

"You heard what?" Elrond said innocently.

"That you drugged my tea."

"Where is your evidence?" Elrond smiled and shook his head slightly.

It was first then that Thonor realized who he was talking to. He flew up from the chair and bowed in front of Elrond. "I apologize for my rudeness Lord Elrond."

"Sit down Thonor." Elrond smiled. "There is no need for you to apologize, but if it eases you then I will accept it." Elrond had long ago deserted the idea trying to convince the people in Mirkwood that he wasn't strict with those things. The lines between servants and lords were far more pronounced there.

"Thank you my lord." But instead of sitting down he walked over to Legolas and sat down at his bedside.

"My patrol?" Legolas inquired.

"They are worried for you, but I convinced them that you were fine and in good care. Lord Elrond informed me that there was two days before you were going to leave again so I told them. Most of them are home now. Most of their wounds weren't bad, only two were required to stay in the healing wing, but I guess that they have been discharged."

Legolas looked relieved at Thonor, "Thank you."

"You don't have to thank me." Thonor said and squeezed Legolas' hand. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine."

"Hardly." Elrond exclaimed from the place where he was currently packing his healing supplies into his bag again. "If I was in charge then you wouldn't be out of bed in a week, but sadly it isn't so. You are not under my jurisdiction and therefor you are going back on patrol in two days. I did everything I could so you should be alright, but don't push your body more than absolutely necessary."

"Thank you Elrond, for taking care of my injuries." Legolas said.

"Of course I would take care of your injuries Legolas. Someone has to make sure you don't die." Elrond said bitterly, his anger towards Thranduil rising, but also his own helplessness. "I don't know what he is thinking by sending you out there constantly."

"The borders need to be protected Elrond." Legolas sighed.

"I know and I wish there was something I could do, but there isn't Elrond said and headed towards the door. "I'm having a meeting with Thranduil so I'll take my leave. Stay in bed Legolas sleep some more and let your body rest. I'm sure Thonor will be happy to help you with the paperwork. …I'm sorry Legolas, I wish I could do more…" He said painfully.

"It is not your fault Elrond, you have done everything you can and I can ask for no more than that." Legolas said, "Thank you."

Elrond nodded and went out the door.

S

As the two days went by with rest Legolas regained some of his former strength. Everyone in the palace noticed how he had slowly gotten weaker and were now thrilled to see him getting better. There was no end to what they wanted to do for their prince. The first day he had been in bed the whole day, so the maids had come with food made specifically for him. It was rare that they made food for him, so when the time came they cooked all his favorites.

Thonor had helped him with the paperwork so they had finished early. Thonor had read all of them while Legolas slept and then separated them into an important pile and a not important. After that the only thing left to do was to sign some of them and read others.

It had been a long time since the palace had seen its crown prince's smile, immediately there was more laughter around the palace. It died though when Legolas was sent out again after the king had had another harsh conversation with him.

Elrond had been there to see Legolas and the patrol leave for Dol Guldur, but after that he as well left for Rivendell. He had promised Thranduil to send twenty of his warriors to help with the situation in Mirkwood in hopes that it would lessen Legolas' workload and it did. Some months after the elves from Rivendell had arrived and taken over some of the defense. Legolas' patrol was more rest than before and so their strength was slowly being built up again. Even Thranduil seemed to be happier.

THE END