Ainion stood in the Great Hall, scanning the members of the court as they entered and spoke to one another. Ainion scanned the room and everyone in it. Legolas was not present. As the members sat down and muttered amongst themselves, Legolas was not present. Ainion remembered that he had told Legolas that he did not have to come, but Legolas had promised he would. A small drop of worry dripped into the pool of his soul and troubled him. The members of the court noticed his absence too.
One of the members led the council, beginning by saying:
"I am sure you have noticed, as have I, that our King is not present".
"I had noticed" replied Ainion, hiding both his concern and his sarcasm. Some of these council members were the stupidest men on earth.
"Perhaps he has other matters on his mind, or perhaps just late" Ainion suggested.
The member of the court nodded his head, though slightly unconvinced and sat down. The council took place and lasted for about an hour or so. Eventually, just before Ainion's concentration levels disappeared entirely, the council ended and the Great Hall was swiftly emptied. Once everyone had gone, Ainion too departed and walked swiftly towards Legolas' chamber, telling the other council members not to worry about their King and that he would check on him.
He knocked on the door and waited. No answer. He knocked again. Still no answer, nor any sound of movement from inside the room. Ainion wondered if maybe Legolas had left and gone to live in their secret house. He opened the door, calling Legolas' name quietly and entered the room.
At first, he thought he was right that Legolas had left, until he heard a voice calling from his bed.
"Who's there?" called the voice, sounding scarily pain-stricken.
"Who gave you permission to enter my chamber without my consent?"
"Do not fear, Legolas, it is only me" replied Ainion with a sense of authority.
Ainion turned the corner of Legolas' room and what he saw shocked him. Legolas was lying on his back on his bed, his hands clutching his back. His face had pain and suffering written all over it, but when he saw Ainion enter the room, a look of sudden relief passed over his face.
"Ainion" he gasped. "Oh veleth-nîn …"
Ainion sat down on Legolas' bed next to him and held his hand.
"What's wrong?" he asked, concerned.
"I'm sorry, Ainion" Legolas began.
"I tried to come to the council, I did, but …"
He gasped in pain, pushing his hand further into his back.
"… I can't stand" he finished.
Ainion was pretty certain he knew what the problem would be. He undid Legolas' shirt and tunic. Legolas' hand quickly clutched Ainion's and asked him had he locked the door. Ainion promised him that he had and continued to undo Legolas' upper clothing.
"Normally, I would be enjoying this!" whispered Legolas, chuckling.
Ainion smiled. But the smile soon faded as he saw what was causing the problem. He was correct – Legolas was still wearing the metal cage. Ainion glared at Legolas.
"I was going to wear it so I could attend the council, I told you" Legolas explained.
But Ainion did not want explanations. He merely wanted Legolas to stop suffering. He undid the cage and Legolas gasped loudly as the pressure was lifted and the pain expanded. Ainion 'shhed' him and saw the baby was straining to grow outwards so much, the cage had cut Legolas' skin in several places. Legolas breathed heavily as Ainion spoke to him.
"You are going to break your spine if you continue to wear this thing, and you will kill our child!!"
Legolas looked deep into his eyes.
"We need to get you out of here".