Chapter 13

Captain Erynion rubbed the back of his neck tiredly as he stared out into the forest. He was standing outside the dome with another trusted warrior. His second in command, Taurnil, stood next to him. They ignored the elves behind them, finishing up the dome for the day. "How many remain unaccounted for?" he asked Taurnil.

Taurnil sighed just as weary as Captain Erynion. "Twenty-three. I doubt we will ever find their bodies, Captain. The spiders carried several of our warriors into the depths of their webs during the battle."

Captain Erynion nodded, already realizing this point. With a heavy heart, he ordered, "Call off the searches, Taurnil. Be…" he stopped when one of his warriors that was stationed at the palace exited the dome and approached him.

The warrior bowed his head in respect. "Captain, Advisor Lólindir wishes to speak to you right away. He says it is very urgent."

Captain Erynion nodded and turned back to Taurnil. "Be sure to break the news gently to the kin's of the missing warriors. Inform them first of the end of the search."

"I will, Captain."

Captain Erynion nodded and followed the other warrior to the palace.

Lólindir was waiting for him in the King's study, pacing the length of the desk with his arms folded behind him. He looked impatient with his eyes narrowed and his quick pacing. He stopped the moment Captain Erynion entered the room. "There you are," he said.

Captain Erynion raised an eyebrow. "You wished to speak to me about something urgent?"

Lólindir nodded. "I'm sure you heard of the messenger that came today."

The captain nodded. "Yes, I assumed it was from the king." Lólindir confirmed his belief with a nod. "Did he find Prince Legolas?"

At this Lólindir sighed and shook his head. Captain Erynion felt his heart sink deep into his chest. "Prince Legolas, it appears," Lólindir said, "left the battle as soon as it was done to come here, to the Greenwood."

Captain Erynion spin straightened immediately. "Here? Prince Legolas is here?" he asked as he walked towards the window and glanced at the kingdom, as if he would immediately spot him.

"Could be here," Lólindir corrected. "We have no idea if he made it to the Greenwood or not." He stood beside Captain Erynion at the window and glanced down. "He could have strayed or worst. With the battle recovery going on in the past week, he could have easily slipped right past us. He may even be gone already, if he was here at all."

Captain Erynion blinked and turned to him. "He's here," he said with realization. "At least, he was here a few days ago," he added with a passionate enthusiasm.

Lólindir turned to him with questioning eyes. "How do you know?" he asked.

"Lenwë."

"The dead scout?"

Captain Erynion eyes were bright with hope. "Yes. A stranger brought his body home, an elvish stranger."

Lólindir's eyes widened with realization. "Prince Legolas."

Captain Erynion nodded. "I shall find him. If he is still here, I will find him." He turned back to the window and made a secret oath to himself. He would find Legolas. He would use whatever it took to find him. He owed it to King Thranduil and Prince Legolas. He had let the chance to stop Legolas from leaving all those years ago. He would not make the same mistake twice.

Lólindir couldn't possibly know what was going inside his head and rebutted his attempt to do what he felt was his duty. The advisor shook his head. "You are needed to make sure of the protection of our elves fixing the dome outside the kingdom. I will send…"

"No," Captain Erynion interrupted firmly as he shook his head. "I will be the one to look for Prince Legolas. It needs to be me." His mind was already trying to think of possible places to find the missing prince. He would have to check in with the House of Healing first. Maybe one of the healers had noticed something, spoke to him, have an idea where he was heading…

Lólindir took a look at his determined face, but tried one last time to feebly convince him to have someone else look for Legolas. "It's not your responsibility," he attempted.

Captain Erynion held his head up high, "Yes, it is," he said firmly, not going to be persuaded. "The more we argue, the harder it may be to find him. I'm going." Without giving Lólindir a chance to try and rebut the matter any further, Captain Erynion left the study.

The first place Captain Erynion gone to was the House of Healing. It was the only place he knew Legolas had been.

It was quiet in the House of Healing for the first time since the battle started. There were only a few elves still in care of the healers. The rest were long buried or had returned to their loved ones. The healer in charge, Healer Eärfalas, had a soft look to him that helped him keep his patients trust and respect. His baby-ish face, however, looked weary and worn. His blond hair had been tied up behind his head hastily. He must not have had any rest since the battle. He glanced up from a patient with tired eyes when Captain Erynion entered the room. "I'll be with you in a minute, Captain," he said before turning back to his patient.

Captain Erynion nodded and watched patiently as Healer Eärfalas reapplied bandages to the wounded arm.

"There you go," the healer said to his patient. "Another day or two and I shall let you return home."

"Thank you, Healer," the elf grumbled exhaustedly before closing his eyes.

"Yes, rest now." Healer Eärfalas turned away from the patient and walked over to Captain Erynion. "What can I help you with, Captain?" he asked softly.

"You remember the elf that brought in Lenwë's body?"

The healer blinked in surprise of the question. "Yes," he said nodding. "What about him?"

Captain Erynion ignored the question in favor of asking his own. "Did you talk to him? Did he tell you where he was going?" he asked, trying not to sound as impatient as he felt.

The healer shook his head. "I didn't talk to him. He was here and then he left. He just came to drop the body off."

Captain Erynion bit back a groan. "Can you tell me anything about him?"

Healer Eärfalas narrowed his eyes slightly in confusion. "I didn't see much of his physical appearance, but his hair was a slivery blonde color. He was slender. He carried a bow and arrows. I really don't know what you are looking for."

"Anything to tell me where he might be going."

The healer paused in thought. "Hmm." He shook his head. "I don't know…wait!" He snapped his head up as something came to him and Captain Erynion felt his heart jump with anticipation. "He had a horse with him. A white horse, very loyal."

Captain Erynion sighed in relief, knowing what the healer was saying. If Prince Legolas had a horse and he was planning on staying here a few days, it was logical he would need a place to house the animal. He would go to the stables. "Thank you, Healer Eärfalas."

The stable was, for the most part, empty. Most of the horses were with the king. There were, however, a few horses that was too sick or injured to make the long trek to the Black Gate. He saw, to his misfortune, no unfamiliar horses. It wasn't an overly large stable. It was built like any other structure in the Greenwood; out of trees. Captain Erynion stood at the doorway to the stable and could see every horse that was there.

"Captain Erynion," a voice behind him greeted.

He turned and saw the stable master, a slender elf with golden blond hair and light green eyes. He looked young, like any other elf, but his eyes were aged with wisdom, showing his true age. He was much older than Captain Erynion. "Silimaurë," Captain Erynion greeted back.

Silimaurë narrowed his eyes slightly in question. "It is not often I see the chief captain of the guards here. Is there something I can help you with, my good sir?"

Captain Erynion nodded. "I hope so, Silimaurë." He stepped aside and looked back into the stable. Silimaurë came to stand next to him. "I had hoped to find a horse I did not recognize."

"Oh?" Silimaurë asked curiously. "I do hope the owner of the horse you are looking for isn't in any sort of trouble." His tone suggested a question.

Captain Erynion shook his head. "He's not in any trouble, but I can't tell you anything more. Royal business, I'm afraid." A pause. "You've seen him?"

Silimaurë nodded. "A young elf came several days ago to house his loyal companion. However, his horse didn't seem to like the idea of being locked up at night. The elf now lets the horse wonder free. I haven't seen the elf since yesterday."

Captain Erynion sighed in disappointment. "Do you have any idea to where I may find him?"

Silimaurë shook his head. "I'm sorry, captain. I do not know anything."

"No information for me at all?" Captain Erynion pressed.

Silimaurë stood there in thought for a moment, his eyes wondering around as they wont to do at times. He seemed to have caught something beside the stable and his eyes lit up. "You may try talking to Rúmil."

"Rúmil?" Captain Erynion turned and saw an elf by the information table. He was collecting the papers and putting them in a bag by his side, packing up. Today had been the last day to look for loved ones, since the search had officially ended. Rúmil had several volunteers helping him clean up the area. All of them had solemn expressions on their faces. They, of course, knew all the bodies that laid unclaimed and all those who were never found. It would have been a very trying burden to know.

"I saw the elf talking to him several days ago, when he arrived," Silimaurë said.

"Thank you, Silimaurë. I shall talk to him." Captain Erynion left Silimaurë by the stables and headed over to Rúmil, who was, at that point, putting the last reports into his bag. "Rúmil," Captain Erynion greeted.

The elf glanced up as he tied his bag shut. "Captain Erynion. Is there something I can help you with?" he asked, his voice low with his grief.

"I do hope so, Rúmil. I am looking for someone. Last I heard of him, he was speaking to you."

Rúmil sighed and shook his head. "You will have to forgive me, Captain, but I have had hundreds talking to me the past few weeks. I do not remember all of their faces."

"You would have spoken to him several days ago. You would not have seen him before. He came with a horse. Silvery blond hair, slender, had a bow and arrows with him. He traveled alone."

Rúmil's eyes narrowed in thought, but Captain Erynion was disappointed to see no recognition in his face. The other elf started to shake his head slowly, but stopped, his eyes lighting up with realization. "You speak of the elf who wanted to find someone, but couldn't tell me a name or a physical description, is that right, Captain?"

Captain Erynion nodded. "It may be. Can you tell me anything about him? Where he was going for instance."

"As a matter of fact, Captain, he had asked me where he could find some temporary lodging. I pointed him to the direction of the Topiary Inn."

The Topiary Inn was a fine and decorative inn. It was the only inn within Mirkwood and it was never busy. With the state of Mirkwood, they, understandably, didn't get many visitors. The visitors that did come were usually important folk who stayed in a guest room at the palace. There weren't many rooms at the Inn and, more importantly for Captain Erynion, it wasn't far.

Captain Erynion nodded his thanks to Rúmil before taking his leave. If luck was on his side, Prince Legolas would still be staying there. If the young prince was no longer there, Captain Erynion would not hesitate to leave Mirkwood in search of him. He was not going to let the prince get away this time around.

Captain Erynion entered the Topiary Inn and headed straight for the front desk. The she-elf working there widened her eyes in surprise. "Captain Erynion!"

He nodded his greeting, glancing discreetly at her nametag. "Afternoon, Nienna. I was wondering about one of your guests that is lodging here."

Nienna nodded. "We only have one currently staying here, Captain. He did not give me a name, sir."

"Room?" he asked, feeling the warm, hopeful glow in his chest. Could he really be this close to finding the lost prince? He never felt as inspired in his life as he was right then, waiting to see the warrior the young prince surely turned out to be.

"He wanted the top room, Captain," the she-elf answered.

Captain Erynion raised his eyebrows. "The very top?" She confirmed with a nod and, without him asking, handed him the master key. He sighed and thanked her before heading towards the ladder. He climbed quickly, anxious to get to the top. The Topiary Inn wasn't the tallest tree in Mirkwood, but it was pretty high, giving the occupants on the top branches a prefect birds-eye view of the kingdom. No wonder Prince Legolas chose the very top room. He would be able to almost see everything at once.

Captain Erynion made it to the top, stepping on the wide branch that served as a walkway to the chamber's door. He paused at the door and took a breath. His Prince may just be on the other side. It was a heart-stopping moment for him, bringing Legolas home. He raised his hand and knocked, but there was no answer. He knocked again and waited. Nothing. Nienna would have told him if he had checked-out. He knocked again, but once again there was no response.

Using the master key, he unlocked the door and walked in. The room was bear with only a bed, closet, large open windows, and a chest for storage. He walked, almost in a daze, towards the bed and touched the rumpled brown and green sheets that laid on top, a sign that someone had slept there. That someone could have been Prince Legolas. A bag sat innocently by the bed and Captain Erynion knelt down to examine it. It was a well-worn bag of brown leather. It was cracked with aged and use, but still sturdy and strong. Seeing the bag gave Captain Erynion hope. Prince Legolas would not have left the bag behind. He planned on returning and Captain Erynion planned to be here when he did.

He heard a sound behind him and he quickly turned, his hand going to his belt where he kept his dagger.

An elf stood behind him with his bow nocked with an arrow. He had it aimed at him. The elf's stern blue eyes glared down at him suspiciously as he stepped farther into the room.

With his heart pounding, Captain Erynion took his hand away from his dagger and slowly stood. He eyed the figure before him, drinking in the sight of the strong warrior. He gotten so big and strong. He knew who the elf it was. He could see both his parents within him. Determined, strong, slight. He would be a mighty king someday, his future king.

"Who are you? What are you doing in my room?" Prince Legolas demanded.

"I am the Chief Captain of the King's Guards, Captain Erynion," he answered. "I'm here for you, Legolas," he said, purposely not calling Legolas by his title. Who, but the King, had the right to inform Legolas of his lineage?

Legolas blinked in surprised and slightly lowered his weapon. "How do you know who I am?" he asked. "I haven't told anyone here my name."

Captain Erynion smiled at the confirmation that it was Prince Legolas standing before him. "We have been waiting for your return for many years. We never stopped looking for you."

Legolas lowered his bow to the ground and stepped out of defensive mode. They stared at each other before Legolas quietly asked, "Who am I?" He titled his head slightly as he considered the captain. "Do I know you?" he asked. "You seem vaguely familiar to me."

Captain Erynion nodded. He could feel the burn of tears behind his eyes, but he refused to let them fall. "You knew me once, Legolas. That is true. Oh Valar, how you have grown," he said in wonder as he glanced up and down at the elf, his prince.

"Who am I?" Legolas asked again. "How do I know you?"

"The king will answer all your questions, Legolas. No one else has that right. But you could say I, unofficially, baby-sat you several times. Babysitting is not in my job description, but…" he said with a fond smile. "…I have been known to watch you from time to time." He thought back on all those occasions when little Legolas sought him out when he was supposed to be in his lessons. Not minding the cute little elfing, Captain Erynion simply let Legolas tag along while he went through his daily routine.

Legolas put his arrow away as he processed what Captain Erynion just said. He glanced up at him. "The king? What does he have to do with me?"

Captain Erynion nodded. "King Thranduil of the Greenwood Realm. He would wish to speak to you about your parents. No one else really has that right. Would you come with me to the palace to await his return?"

Legolas narrowed his eyes in thought. "His…?" He blinked in realization. "He came to the Black Gate because of me," he stated. "Did he know my parents?"

Captain Erynion paused briefly before nodding slowly. "Yes, you could say that."

"When do you expect him to return?" Legolas asked.

"In a week, no more than two," Captain Erynion answered as he stepped towards the elf. Legolas was only slightly smaller than him. Legolas flickered his eyes to up to him, almost cautiously. "The king will answer all of your questions, Legolas. Please come with me. I promise you no one would have need to harm you."

"My parents were important to King Thranduil, weren't they?" Legolas asked. "Was my father a member of the guard?"

"The king will answer your questions," Captain Erynion repeated.

Legolas glanced down in thought before asking, "What of Arod, my loyal steed? Is he still free to wonder about the kingdom?"

Captain Erynion nodded. "He is free to wonder, but, if you want, you may place him in the royal stables by the palace."

Legolas nodded his understanding.

"If you are willing to come with me," Captain Erynion said, waving a hand towards the door as an offering for Legolas to go, if he wished too. When Legolas didn't make a move to the door, the good captain started to feel desperate. "Please, Legolas," he said softly. He glanced away, wondering what he would do if Legolas refused to go the palace with him. The question was, what could he do?

He turned back to Legolas, knowing he would never be able to force him. Legolas was his prince. He couldn't force his prince to do something he really didn't want to do. "I will not force you, but I ask you to please come. You have no idea just how important it is for king to see you and speak with you. You will be appreciative as well, if you join me at the palace. The answers you seek will be there."

Legolas stared back at him. His face showed no emotion, but his eyes showed a hint of frustration. "This is getting wearisome."

"Pardon?"

"Everyone who seem to know who I am will not tell me. It is getting wearisome."

"That is because they know King Thranduil should be the one to inform you."

Legolas took a second to think and Captain Erynion waited patiently. Finally, Legolas slowly nodded. "I'll go with you, Captain Erynion."

Captain Erynion mentally breathed a sigh of relief.

Legolas turned to get a full glance of the offered room. He was unsure at first about Captain Erynion's offer. The palace being in the mountain was on the big reason why he hesitated. He was glad to see that, despite it being inside the mountain, it was spacious with wide opened windows carved out of the stoned walls. The room he was placed in was the guest room, but it was spacious and warm. It contained a bed, dresser, a fireplace, and a little sitting area next to the fireplace. There was a simple brown and gold rug on the floor and paintings of trees and landscapes on the wall. The elves had done all they could to make the stone mountain a home for the wood elves.

Legolas set his bag down by the bed and glanced at Captain Erynion, who stood just in the doorway watching his reaction. The look on the captain's face made Legolas uncomfortable, not because of any sinister reason, but because the captain seemed genuinely overjoyed to see him. It was a feeling Legolas couldn't completely return, not being able to recognize the elf. He couldn't deny that Captain Erynion seemed familiar to him, but it was like a fading dream. You know you had a good dream, but couldn't remember what it was about; it was almost in reach, but you just couldn't touch it. It was the same feeling he got when he saw King Thranduil during the battle, only not as strong.

"Is everything to your liking?" Captain Erynion asked, bringing Legolas out of his thoughts.

Legolas around the bed chambers again and nodded. "Yes," he said. "Thank you for your hospitality, Captain Erynion."

"This is your home, Legolas. There is no need to thank me. If you have need of anything, don't be afraid to ask. It shall be provided for. You are able to go anywhere in the palace. I hope you will be comfortable here. Captain Erynion placed his left fist over his heart and bowed, as a sign of respect. "I'll leave you now." He turned and left before Legolas could put a word in.

Confused at the Captain's sign of respect, Legolas took his quiver off his shoulder and set it down on the bed. He stepped towards the large window and glanced out. Elves were moving about their day, finally getting some normalcy back. It was quiet and peaceful. The trees were welcoming and the birds were singing.

He narrowed his eyes as he continue to think. Home. Captain Erynion called this place his home. Legolas never had a place to call home before, not one he could remember. He still felt like a stranger. After arriving here, he had decided not to let anyone know who he was and what he was doing here. He had wanted time to familiarize with this place, waiting for some recognition to come to him, telling him this was home, this was where he belonged. But now he was here, before he felt completely ready, before that recognition came to him. He turned back to the bed chamber and glanced around. This did not feel familiar to him. Captain Erynion, though; there was something familiar about him. And the king. The king had sparked some familiarity as well.

Speaking of the king, what did King Thranduil have to do with his family? Was his father an honored warrior? Did he once gave his life to save the king and that was why the king wanted to speak to him? He shook his head, knowing he would not know the answer until the king returned.

"He is here? You found him?" Lólindir asked, his eyes growing eager. He sat back, leaning against the king's desk in wonder. "Our prince has finally returned home," he said softly. He straightened. "I must greet him. I have to see him." He made a move to walk out of the office, but Captain Erynion stopped him with a hand to his chest. Lólindir gave him a confused and frustrated look.

"I didn't tell him who he is," Captain Erynion explained, as he put his hand down.

"Why ever not, Captain?"

"I feel it is for the king to explain. If we tell him he is our prince, he might get overwhelm and leave before the king could see him, talk to him. I will not allow that to happen. King Thranduil will see his son," Captain Erynion said passionately. "I will do what I can to keep Prince Legolas here until the king arrives."

Lólindir shook his head. "As admirable as that is, Captain, this is not something we can keep contained. Someone will spill. Prince Legolas may find out the truth before the king arrives. What will we tell the servants, the people? Those who will have contact with him? He is our prince. They are going to treat him as such. His return will spread throughout the kingdom. He would hear whispers of our prince's return. How can he not connect that with his own arrival?"

Captain Erynion sighed. "We will not tell anyone Prince Legolas is here. We will have him go by another name. Orodreth. We shall call him Orodreth. It sounds almost like his grandfather's name, Oropher. The king should be here soon. He will be riding as fast and hard as he dare to reach his son. He would make great haste. Prince Legolas would not go by the name of Orodreth for long."

Lólindir nodded, but didn't look confidant in Captain Erynion's plan. "Let us hope Prince Legolas doesn't catch on."

"If we do this right, he will not."

An early holiday present!

I know, I know..you are all disappointed because they didn't meet in this chapter either, but I promise it is just around the corner!

Merry Christmas or Hanukkah!

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