A/N: Woo! Sorry; I try to update atleast every other day. It appears I was a bit late on this one. I had to go to my friend's to celebrate her birthday. We went to see the Brother's Grimm. It wasn't too good, at least that's what I thought. I was so confused by the plot and everything. Anywho, here's another update for ya!

A/N: Responses shall now be posted on the review board. Thanks to the suggestion of dear lindahoyland, I can talk to yas again! squee

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Disclaimer: Too tired to come up with anything witty for the disclaimer. I don't own them. Wish I did, but i don't. Pity.

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ch. 11

"Ada," Estel whispered, slipping through the office door. "Ada?" He gazed around the darkened room, searching for his father. Elrond was not by the fire, where he usually was at this hour. Estel spotted him slumped against his desk, his head pillowed on his folded arms. The five year old boy inched closer to the sleeping elf lord, not wishing to startle him. He gently prodded the elf's arm.

"Ada," he murmured as Elrond stirred, his open eyes coming into focus. The elven lord gazed fondly down at his human son.

"What is it, ïon-nîn?" he asked, his voice thick with sleep. He stretched mildly. "Is Legolas alright?"

"Yes, Arwen, I and the twins were just with him," Estel responded, pulling himself into his father's lap. "He's feeling slightly worse, but he said it wasn't a lot to worry about."

"Hmm…" Elrond mused. The prince should not have been feeling worse, he should have been feeling better by now, with the rest and medicine he was getting. Elrond guessed it was only a minor feeling after his fever and injuries. Estel played unconsciously with a strand of Elrond's long brown hair, humming.

"What are you reading, Ada?" Estel asked, looking at the open book lying on the elven lord's desk. Elrond leaned forward slightly.

"Just going over ingredients and herbs of certain medicines," he responded lightly. Estel smiled.

"Is it boring?" he asked.

"Why would you say that?" Elrond replied, amused at the question.

"You fell asleep," the boy replied innocently, gazing up at his father with silver eyes. Elrond laughed in understanding.

"No, it is not boring," he answered. "I was only tired."

"Why?"

"Living beings get tired, Estel, that is the way things are," Elrond said gently.

"Legolas was tired when I came to see you," Estel said distractedly, playing again with his foster father's hair. "He said so."

"I see."

"Is his ada coming her to see him?"

"I'm not sure, Estel. King Thranduil has to respond to my message for me to know that," Elrond said.

"When will that be?" Estel asked.

"I'm not sure of that either."

Elrond replied to the endless stream of questions bursting forth from his foster son with an amazing amount of patience, leafing through the book at the same time. They kept their pleasant talk going until Arwen came hurriedly into the room, her long dark hair mussed.

"Ada," she called breathlessly. "It is Legolas. His fever is back and he is not doing well." Elrond lifted Estel from his lap and rose swiftly to his feet, following his daughter down the hall and into Legolas' room, where the prince was bent over a basin. He was emptying his stomach of the small portions of food they had forced him to eat earlier in the day to keep his strength up. Elladan and Elrohir sat by his side, giving silent support to the miserable elf.

Elrond crossed the room in quick strides and sat on the edge of the bed as Legolas lay back down, moaning in distress. Elrond felt his brow and was surprised at how quickly his temperature had risen. He wet a cloth and placed it on Legolas' forehead, trying to figure out why the fever had so suddenly and unexpectedly returned. Maybe the medicinal tea had kept the illness at bay for a time until it wore off.

"Elladan, make another batch of the tea," Elrond instructed. "Make it stronger, though. And do it quickly." The elder twin nodded soberly and left the room. Legolas coughed feebly and turned his head atop his pillow, trying to find comfort in his illness.

"Sûicen, Legolas," Elrond whispered. "You will pull through." Legolas did not respond. A tense silence fell over the group until it was broken by Legolas' cough.

"Has…my father responded…yet?" he asked. Elrond shook his head and replaced the cool cloth on the younger elf's brow.

"Not yet, Legolas," he whispered. The prince nodded and pulled the blanket up to his shoulders, shivering visibly. Estel inched to the side of the bed and placed a small hand on Legolas' trembling shoulder. The prince smiled weakly at the young boy and lifted his hand, the picture clutched in his fingers.

"I…liked your…drawing, Estel," he whispered between tattered breaths. "Thank you." The boy grinned back and twirled a pale golden lock of Legolas' hair between his fingers.

"I will get to see your centií someday, right?" he asked quietly. Legolas smiled and closed his eyes.

"Yes," he murmured. "You will see them. I promise you." Estel lay his head down on Legolas' chest, hearing the strong elven heartbeat and feeling the shallow rise and fall of the prince's chest. Elrond remained silent, watching the two unlikely friends intently. He never thought that they would become so close.

"Here, Ada," Elladan called, coming through the door and handing the mug of tea to his father. Elrond curled his fingers around the cup and prodded Legolas gently. The prince's eyes opened, fixing Elrond with a dilated and bleary gaze.

"Sit up and drink this, Legolas," Elrond whispered. "It will help you." Legolas coughed and inched upright on his elbows, moving slowly. He took the mug in his hands, staring at the liquid within.

"What's in it?" he asked, his voice sluggish and groggy. Elrond pushed his arm, urging him to drink. As the prince raised the cup to his lips, Elrond replied,

"Something that will bring the fever down and help you sleep." Legolas nodded and took a drought of the medicine, wrinkling his nose in distaste. The tea blunted the strong, acrid taste of the herbs, yet it still did not dumb it down completely. Legolas handed the near empty mug back to Elrond, not being able to force himself to drink any more. He slowly lay back down on his side and closed his eyes, the drug in the medicine, as well as the feeling of warm tea in his stomach, pulling him into sleep.

"Will the extra medicine get rid of the sickness?" Estel asked. Elrond sighed and stood.

"I hope so," he replied softly, getting another blanket and spreading it over the still form of the prince. "Now, everyone out so he may get some rest. Go on, out." The twins left without a fight, but Arwen and Estel protested. Elrond put a hand on each of their shoulders and led them for the door.

"No one likes to be hovered over," he said gently, pushing them through the door. "We all should go to give him rest." Arwen and Estel pouted, but slowly walked away from Legolas' door. Elrond waited until they were out of sight before turning in the opposite direction and striding away.

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"Now add a tail," Legolas instructed. Estel, resting on the floor on his belly, made a long swirl with his quill. As he had asked two days before, Legolas was showing him how to draw a horse. Legolas sat cross-legged on his bed, a light bedsheet across his knees. A board lay in front of him with the pieces of a game scattered in random places. Elrohir sat across from him, scrutinizing the playing field to make his next move. Elladan was perched on the edge of the bed, watching the progress of the game, a plate of small pastries in his hand, from which he and his twin brother were eating. Arwen was seated in the large armchair, silently reading a book. A storm raged outside the closed windows, the comforting silence of the room sometimes broken by deep rumbles of thunder.

"Like that?" Estel asked, looking up at the elven prince. Legolas glanced at his sketch before nodding his head.

"Exactly," he replied, turning his head to quickly catch the move Elrohir was making on the board. He smiled mischievously. The younger twin noticed the impish grin and he froze with his fingers still resting lightly on the piece. Legolas waved his hand, indicating that Elrohir should continue with his move. He did, but glared suspiciously at his opponent as he set the piece down. Instantly Legolas reached forward and moved one of his own into the spot, snatching up Elrohir's with a triumphant chuckle. Elrohir threw his hands into the air, smiling.

"I knew I did something wrong when I saw that look on your face!" he exclaimed. "Well, hear this, princeling, I will have my revenge. Fear the night." Legolas smirked incredulously and swept his arm over the board.

"Your turn, 'Ro," he said in feigned innocence. The younger twin grunted and turned his gaze to the board. Elladan smiled as he popped another pastry into his mouth. He himself had never been able to beat his twin brother in this game, and to see someone finally defeat the 'master' of the game was utterly satisfying. Even Arwen glanced up from her story to see Elrohir take one of Legolas' pieces with a wide grin. The prince did not respond, simply flicked his gaze over the board, and, with barely contained mirth, he lifted one of his pieces and moved it to the other side, taking two of Elrohir's pieces. The younger twin's mouth fell open as he realized the mistake he had made when he took one of Legolas' pieces. His astonishment quickly turned to playful frustration.

"Clever move," he muttered, "royal boy." Legolas laughed, rocking back against his pillow. He did not take the joking barb personally and pointed to the game.

"Your move," he choked out between irritating snickers. Elrohir smiled and returned his attention to the board. While he waited, Legolas gazed out of the nearby window, watching the rain. He jumped slightly when a pastry lightly struck his temple, bouncing off and landing on Estel's parchment. The boy glanced up in confusion before popping the treat into his mouth, while Legolas gazed at Elladan accusingly. The elder twin instantly pointed to Elrohir, who was making an effort not to smile and had his eyes fixed intently on the ceiling. Legolas grinned and reached behind him for his pillow.

"Ai!"

Elrohir collapsed off the bed after the pillow collided with his head, swung by the elven prince. Elladan stood and stepped out of the way, watching in amusement as Elrohir sat up, his long brown hair disheveled, glaring at Legolas. The prince only smiled, his eyebrows raised in feigned innocence. The only thing that gave him away was the pillow still clutched tightly in one hand. Elrohir soon grinned.

"Clever move," he said, his voice dripping with mischief. He leaped up, snatched the other pillow from behind the prince and raising it above his head. Legolas rolled from the bed before the object could make contact with him. The pillow thumped harmlessly onto the mattress where the prince had just lain. The game board fell from the bed and the pieces scattered as the elven prince stood. Legolas held his hands out in front of him, backing away, the bedsheet trailing after him before it released his ankle.

"Peace, friend," he laughed. "I don't want to have to hurt you." Elrohir giggled endlessly.

"Hurt me? I don't think I am the one going to be hurt," he stepped over the bed, a wide grin on his face and the pillow held out in front of him. Estel stood up and moved out of the way, giggling. Legolas lunged forward and grabbed the boy by the shoulders, moving him in front of himself like a shield. He ducked behind the young one.

"I have a hostage," he called from behind Estel. "Don't try anything foolish or the boy will pay for it." Elladan laughed.

"Go ahead," he replied. "We'll finally be free of him."

"Hey!" Estel exclaimed. Elrohir grabbed Estel and pulled him out of the way before striking the elf behind the boy with the pillow. Legolas stumbled and laughed as downy feathers floated on the air.

"You broke it!" he choked out between his laughs. "Lord Elrond's going to make you pick up every little feather off the floor and put them back in the case."

"I don't doubt that," Elladan said from the other side of the room. "Have fun, brother." Elrohir glared at his twin, lifting a feather from his hair and blowing it off his palm. He was unprepared for the soft thump of a pillow against his face, and he fell back, shouting. Legolas laughed triumphantly, waving the pillow in his hand. He stumbled as Arwen leaped forward and struck him with her own pillow. Soon everyone in the room was involved in the fray and it looked like an indoor blizzard with the amount of feathers floating on the air. Laughter rang from the depths of the whiteness, edging out of the door and reaching the ears of the elven lord passing by.

Elrond opened the door, poking his head through. He blinked in surprise at the sight that met his eyes. He saw the occupants of the room collapse onto the floor, sending up a wave of feathers and laughing uncontrollably.

"Ada will have us all picking up feathers now," Elladan choked out between his endless stream of giggles.

"He won't make me," Legolas said. "I'm still healing." Arwen laughed and gave the prince a light shove, sending him toppling.

"You seemed healthy enough when you whacked me on the side of the head hard enough to fell a centií," she said. Legolas laughed.

"That was a good shot, especially when you shrieked like an offended sparrow," he replied, garnering the laughs of the other beings sitting on the floor with him.

"I did not!" Arwen said, crossing her arms indignantly, "shriek like an offended sparrow."

"You're right, it sounded more like an offended finch," Elrohir said. Everyone laughed except for the elf maiden in their midst, but even she could not keep a smile from her face. She glared at the younger twin and smirked at him.

"Well, at least my reflexes aren't as slow as yours, Elrohir," she said. "You saw me coming at you from across the room and didn't do anything."

"That's because he was frozen in horror when he saw your hideous face twisted into a feral snarl," Elladan laughed.

"Elladan! How could you say such a thing?" Elrohir said, his eyes widening in mock surprise. "The truth was I was frozen in horror when I saw her hideous face twisted into a feral snarl and heard her screeching voice rise in an unknown battle cry, as well as the fact that I did see her coming, I just did not move because I was kind enough to let her think she was useful in the battle! Why are you telling lies, brother?"

"Ha ha, you are all very funny," Arwen said, rolling her eyes. "Like I need to feel useful batting your stinking carcass around with a pillow." Comfortable, light laughter fell between them. Elrond chose the moment to speak.

"Would one of you be kind enough to tell me what happened here?" he asked softly. The young ones on the floor lifted their heads in surprise, then all shook their heads, glancing at one another as if they had no idea how a sea of feathers came to rest on the carpet beneath them. Elrond smiled.

"Really? Well, if you can't tell me, then I guess you will have to pick up every feather. By hand. Now, tell me, who is responsible for this mess?" Legolas pointed to Elrohir, who pointed to Arwen, who in turn gestured at Elladan, who indicated Estel, who pointed back at Legolas. Elrond laughed suddenly and shook his head. He edged out of the door and closed it behind him, his heart lightening at the sound of the young ones' laughter from within the feather-filled room.

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Lord Elrond sighed as he stepped out into the entrance hall to greet the guest that had just arrived. King Thranduil stood amidst his guards, his traveling tunic and hair dripping from the rain they had just escaped. He turned his piercing gaze to the elven lord that entered the room and strode quickly across the polished marble floor, trailing water behind him.

"Where is he?" he asked, his voice low and lethal with barely contained rage. "Where is my son?" Elrond nodded, seeming tired.

"Follow me please," he said coolly, turning and striding down the hall after he ordered a few servants to care for the king's sopping guards. King Thranduil walked swiftly after the elven lord. Elrond reached a closed door. Thranduil could clearly hear laughter within the room. Lord Elrond knocked lightly on the door before opening it and allowing Thranduil to pass.

Legolas was sitting on the bed cross-legged, the playing board once again in front of him. Elrohir had challenged the prince to a rematch earlier. They gradually had let the rules slip and were now inventing a new way to play the game. Arwen, Elladan and Estel were crowded around, adding their own rules to the ones the two contestants were creating. They were all highly enjoying themselves when they heard a knock on the door and Elrond opened it, waving his arm to an unseen person standing just outside the doorway.

The light laughter stilled when King Thranduil appeared soaking wet, raising his cool pale gray gaze to each person in the room, coming to rest on his son. His eyes lingered.

"A-Adar?" Legolas stammered in surprise, looking his father up and down and analyzing Thranduil's condition. "Father?" Behind the king's back, Elrond motioned for his own children to exit the room. The prince's friends quickly melted away from the bed and left through the door single file, their gazes lowered submissively as they passed the king. Only Estel had the courage to steal a glance at the stoic face of Thranduil, realizing how alike Legolas looked his father, except the sharp features were softened in his expression and his gaze was more benign. The boy hurried quickly by and let the door shut behind him.

"Ada, when did you get here?" Legolas asked, swinging his legs over the side of the bed and standing up. Thranduil crossed the room and eased his son back down, his slender hands on Legolas' shoulders. The prince complied.

"Just twenty minutes ago," the king replied uncaringly. "How are you, my son?"

"Better," Legolas said evasively. "What did Lord Elrond say in his message?"

"Only that you had been wounded from a mishap in the forest and that you were under special care," the king replied. "He said nothing more. What really happened?"

"Wolves attacked me and my mount," Legolas said softly, lowering his gaze.

"Wolves?" Thranduil repeated, gazing hard at his only offspring. "Did they badly wound you?"

Yes. So much that it left me reeling in a fever and babbling my deepest secrets in delirium.

"No, not too bad. I am healed anyway," Legolas said. "My wounds no longer grieve me." Thranduil nodded his head.

"Lord Elrond was oddly vague in his message," the king revealed. "He did not tell me your state or condition. It is good to know you are well."

"Thank you, Adar," Legolas mumbled, bowing his head in respect. Thranduil nodded and opened the door. He was halted by a questioning voice.

"Ada?" Legolas asked, lifting his gaze. Thranduil looked back at his son for a moment. Legolas looked down again, seemingly shy now that he had his father's attention.

"I…I'm sorry," he murmured quietly. Thranduil cocked his head at the sudden apology, wondering what his son must have been thinking to give it. The king only nodded in slight confusion and left the room, not answering. Legolas stood, beginning to pace restlessly. He stepped out onto the balcony now that the rain had subsided and leaned against the railing, crossing his arms over his chest and gazing at the gray sky.

King Thranduil walked swiftly down the hall and knocked on Elrond's door. He had been here before; he knew exactly where the lord's office was.

"Enter."

Thranduil opened the door and stormed in. Elrond was sitting in the large armchair, Estel on his lap. He looked up, not surprised at the anger in the elven king's gaze. The Mirkwood king was known for his infamous, quick-flaring temper.

"King Thranduil," he said, motioning to the chair. "Come, sit down." Thranduil shook his head curtly and paced to the other side of the room before turning back to Elrond.

"Wolves?" he asked, the word ripping abruptly from him. "I leave my son, the only heir of Mirkwood, in your care, and you let him get attacked by wolves?" Elrond regarded the king coolly, not affected by the rage in Thranduil's tone.

"Animals are unpredictable, we had no idea that this would happen," he replied, lifting Estel from his lap and placing the boy in the chair. "As soon as we realized what had happened we did everything we could to bring the young prince back to health."

"This should not have happened in the first place!" Thranduil whirled on the elven lord. "Why did you not tell me in your message? Tell me, did you even know he had left the building when he was attacked?" Elrond did not respond. The answer was obvious in his gaze. No, he had not known. Thranduil nodded, as if confirming the fact, and turned away.

"Did you even send anyone out to find him when you did realize he was gone?" Thranduil asked. Elrond again remained silent. The king shook his head. If one could be killed by furious looks, Elrond would be dead.

"What were you doing that was so important that you could not send someone to find my son while he was missing?" the king asked another question. Elrond gestured to Estel, who was still sitting in the large chair, peering warily over the arm.

"I was caring for my youngest son," Elrond replied honestly. "He had been beaten by some other young ones and needed my help."

"A human?" Thranduil hissed, glancing over the elven lord's shoulder at the young boy. "You neglected your responsibility of watching my son because of a rotten human?" Elrond stepped forward, threatening the king with both his proximity and gaze.

"Do not," he whispered lethally, "take this out on Estel. He has done nothing to you. It was my mistake and mine only. I did not know Legolas was in danger." Thranduil's eyes flashed dangerously.

"And do not," he responded in the same low tone, "think this is forgotten, Elrond. I placed my son in your care. It did not matter whether or not you knew he was in danger. You were merely supposed to watch him as closely as you would one of your own. I'm afraid my trust in you has been disrupted." Thranduil stalked from the room and closed the door. Estel inched forward in the chair and plucked at Elrond's robes.

"Ada?" he asked in a small voice. "Why is he so upset?"

"You need not worry about that, Estel," the elven lord replied somewhat distractedly, stooping over and lifting his youngest son in his arms. He gazed at the closed door. "It does not concern you."

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Yikes! What a grouch! lol. Reviews most welcome!