Legolas opened the door softly to check if Kirion was still sleeping. When he saw that he was, he closed it once more and walked to the meeting room. It was late and Legolas knew that this meeting was going to drag out, so he would probably end up staying up half of the night.
Almost all the lords and counselors were already present and it seemed as though they only had to wait for a few, including the king. He sat down in his seat and placed the reports and letters in front of him. Some elves greeted him while others were deep into either conversation or arguments. He fought the urge to roll his eyes when he noticed that Lord Canben and Lord Aron were arguing once more. Their beliefs were so different and their stubbornness so large that they almost fought at every meeting about everything. He was sure to have Lord Aron on his side, but he guessed that Lord Canben wouldn't even consider sending someone out to help the patrols.
The last person to come was Thranduil. All of them got to their feet when he stepped in. The others bowed while Legolas simply inclined his head. Thranduil's eyebrow twitched in annoyance as he sat down beside Legolas. Once he sat down everyone else did as well.
"You all know why you are here." Thranduil said. "We need to decide what to do about the situation in the north. Orcs have been able to push back our patrols and now they send for aid."
"It's clear that this is what we must do." Lord Aron said. "We cannot forsake the border. If we do then more evil will enter the forest."
Lord Canben scoffed, "There is no need to send anyone out there. They can handle themselves."
"Obviously they cannot since they called for aid." Lord Aron hissed back.
They were about to break out in a serious argument when Thranduil raised his hand. "It so happens that both me and Legolas agree with Lord Aron. Help must be sent to them to both ensure their survival and our border." He said. "Is there any here other than Lord Canben who think that aid is not necessary?"
Canben looked slightly embarrassed when no one raised his or her hand.
"Good now that that is settled." Thranduil said. "How are we going to go at this?"
Legolas sighed inwardly. Thranduil was in business mode. It was no longer about family or disputes, but about Mirkwood. That was everything to him now, and even if he didn't like it then he had to admit that Legolas was an important asset.
"It is impossible to try and make some sort of strategy with the scarce knowledge we have." Legolas said. "We will have to meet up with the patrols and get an informed report before we take action."
"Do we have the exact position of either the elves or the orcs?" One of the other lords asked. "If we do not then sending elves out there blindly would only risk more lives."
Legolas nodded, "I am aware of the risk, but there isn't really anything else we can do. There are patrols stationed periodically from here to the northern border. We will be able to get a more exact location as we get closer."
"We could wait for more news." Lord Canben said.
Lord Aron shook his head, "If we wait then it will end up being too late. They need help as soon as they can get it."
"Where is the most likely place to get information that we're certain is still out of the orcs' reach?" Thranduil asked.
"The ford." Legolas answered.
"It would be possible to send a party to the ford before joining the patrols." Lord Iôlon said. "Then they would get more details and possibly the patrols' locations."
Thranduil agreed, "That would be possible."
The meeting went on and didn't seem to end. They had to discuss supplies, soldiers, tactics, messages, orcs, risks, money… the list could go on. The most annoying thing was that every little thing had to take far longer than necessary to figure out because every elf wanted their say in it.
At last they decided to send a party of about fifty elves to the ford, where they would gather further knowledge before going out to help the patrols. Then it was just a matter of supplies… In the end only Legolas and a few lords had been left in the meeting room, to take care of the last things while everyone else had gone to bed. Legolas was there because he had been 'chosen' to lead the party.
Over half the night had gone before Legolas walked back towards his room. As he passed his father's room he looked at the light streaming out from underneath it and couldn't help but think about the times where he had gone to his father to do nothing more than just talk. It was disturbing how much that had changed over the years after his mother's death. It wasn't often Thranduil slept in that room anymore, only when he wanted to remember his wife. Now he slept in the spare bedroom adjoining his office.
Legolas sighed and walked on. He stopped before his brother's room and quietly opened the door so he could pear inside. Shock and anxiousness tore through him when he realized that Kirion's bed was empty. He breathed deeply for a second to try and calm himself and then thought about where he would most likely be.
Suddenly he remembered that Thranduil had left the meeting room over an hour ago and since their rooms where almost beside each other, he would have no trouble taking Kirion.
Legolas forced himself to calm down and instead of jumping to conclusions and rushing into his father's room he would try his own first.
Legolas opened the door to his room and looked inside. Relief welled up inside him when he saw his brother's form curled up on his bed. He walked closer and noticed that Kirion was awake and watching him with wide eyes. Tears had welled up inside them making them swim.
Legolas hurried over to his brother and lifted him into his arms. He rocked him gently back and forth while searching him with his eyes; there was nothing out of the ordinary.
"What's wrong Kirion?" Legolas asked gently.
Kirion sniffed, his arms were wrapped around Legolas' neck and his face was buried against his shoulder. "I had… a nightmare…" Kirion whispered shakily. "And then… you weren't here… and I thought something bad had happened…"
"Shh…" Legolas breathed and rubbed Kirion's back as he started crying once more. "I was at a meeting. …What did you dream?"
Kirion stayed silent or some time before he whispered, "…I'm scared of him Legolas…"
Legolas felt anger well up inside him over this comment. No child should have to be afraid of its parents, especially not Kirion, who was so innocent. How could Thranduil do that to their family?
"Look at me." Legolas said softly. He waited until Kirion's teary green eyes had landed on his own before saying. "I will not lie to you and say that there is no need to be scared of him. I wish I could tell you that all this was just a bad dream and that it will return to normal again, but I am not sure if that is true. It seems to me that he's already too far gone and something groundbreaking has to happen before he changes. You should know though, that it is not your fault that he changed and neither was it your fault that mother died. You haven't done anything to cause this Kirion, but it is still the way things are."
Legolas brought his hand up to wipe the tears off Kirion's cheek and then went on, "But you don't have to be scared because no matter what happens I will take care of you. Do you understand that? Hithel and I will make sure you're all right, until you don't need us to any longer …or maybe even after that. We will take care of you because we both love you so much."
Kirion nodded and once again buried his head on Legolas shoulder. His arms tightened around his neck and he mumbled, "I love you too," into his tunic.
Legolas smiled and ran his hand comfortingly through Kirion's hair. He stayed there for some time before he kissed the top of Kirion's hair and asked, "How about we go down to the kitchens and warm some milk?"
Kirion nodded in affirmation and Legolas walked out the door with him in his arms. Along the walls some candles, which continued all the way through the house, lighted the halls dimly. Kirion had stilled in his arms and was now looking blearily ahead.
When they reached the kitchen Legolas opened the door and walked down a few steps. It was still lit up slightly by two candles, but the fire in the fireplace had gone out. Legolas stepped over there and rekindled it, still holding Kirion in his arms.
As he was warming the milk the door to the kitchen opened once more and one of the cooks stepped inside with a slightly tired and searching look. He recognized her; her name was Mírdan.
Her eyes widened when he saw the two princes. The fire was reflected in Legolas' eyes and made the blue in them warm instead of cold; it also made his hair look slightly golden. He was holding Kirion as if his weight was nothing.
When she continued to gape at them Legolas asked, "Did we wake you? If we have then I apologize, you can go back to sleep."
This seemed to take her out of her stupor and she walked fully into the kitchen. "Nonsense my Prince." She said and inclined her head. She looked around to see what they were doing. "It's my job to take care of the kitchens. Are you warming milk?"
"Yes."
"You should have just called for it." She scolded absentmindedly.
Legolas smiled once more, "I apologize."
With a start she seemed to realize what she had just said and was about to apologize when Legolas waved it away. After that she relaxed somewhat again. She looked questionably between the milk and Prince Kirion trying to ask without words if it was for him. Legolas inclined his head.
"Would you like honey in the milk Prince Kirion?" She asked gently and watched as Kirion lifted his head from his brother's shoulder and looked at her with slightly teary green eyes. He nodded and then rested his head against Legolas' chest.
Mírdan walked into the storeroom to get some honey. When she came out Legolas was over by one of the shelves taking down a mug. He had already taken the milk off the fire.
He placed the cup on the table and then gently put Kirion down on one of the chairs. Afterwards, as Mírdan found a spoon for the honey, he poured the milk into the mug and carried the empty pot over to the sink. She stirred a spoonful of honey into the milk and then held the mug out to Legolas.
"Thank you." Legolas said. He walked over to where Kirion was sitting and placed the milk in front of him. He gently brushed his hand over Kirion's hair and gazed into his sleepy, but still slightly frightened eyes. "Drink it. It will make you feel better I promise."
When Mírdan saw Legolas turn around she quickly protested, "Sit down. I'll clean up."
Legolas opened his mouth, but after seeing the look in her eyes he smiled and nodded. Kirion looked more settled with Legolas sitting beside him. Not long after he scrambled out of his own chair to sit on Legolas' lap.
Legolas took the mug from the table and held it so Kirion could wrap his two hands around it. Slowly he watched as his little brother drank the milk, his own thoughts drifted off trying to find a way to tell Kirion that he was going to the north and that Hithel would look after him.
He was thrown away from his thoughts when Mírdan cleared her throat behind him. He contained his surprise and looked at her. She had finished cleaning the kitchen.
"Is there anything else you require my Prince?" She asked.
Legolas shook his head and said. "Thank you. You should go and sleep some before dawn's approach."
She bowed and then walked out of the kitchen leaving them alone. Legolas looked down at Kirion and saw that he looked more relaxed and definitely sleepier. He was almost done, but his hands were slacking. Legolas brought his hands up to cover Kirion's; smiling over how much smaller they were than his own. He gently helped Kirion drink the rest of the milk and then hoisted him up into his arms once more.
Kirion placed his head on Legolas' chest and closed him eyes. During the walk Legolas felt him inch closer to falling asleep and as soon as he walked into the royal wing he headed towards his own room. After entering, he laid Kirion down on his bed.
Kirion sighed contently and moved closer to Legolas. Legolas smiled and drew the covers over his form before kissing his forehead.
For some time Legolas sat there looking at his brother before getting up and walking towards the doors leading to his adjoining room. A fire had been lit in the fireplace and he now walked over to its warmth more for comfort than need because he, being an elf, didn't feel the cold. The light from the fire danced on the walls and turned the room a mixture of gold and red.
Hopefully Hithel would come quickly as soon as she got the letter. He had to leave at dawn the day after tomorrow. It wasn't possible for him to wait around as he was the leader of the party, moreover his father would never allow it. Leave his elves unattended and in danger just so he could wait with 'the devil' for 'the traitor'.
Legolas grit his teeth and almost cursed. Breathing deeply he calmed himself by studying the dancing flames while resting his arms on the mantelpiece. He could use a large glass of wine, but knew that what his body really needed was sleep. The last time he had slept an entire night eluded him.
Legolas shook his head and wandered back into the bedroom so he could lie down beside Kirion. His body immediately relaxed and he fell asleep.
