What is silent in the father, speaks in the son

by VenusJay

Thranduil will do anything to protect his son and struggles with the loss of his soulmate. A prophecy weaves throughout this tale of adventure, love and heartbreak as it follows the lives of Legolas and his father in Middle Earth. Darker themes at times- Chinese Translation; see link Chapter 1. I try my best to respond to every review and I am always delighted to hear from you.

38. Chapter 38

Legolas watched his father carefully as his many advisors offered him their thoughts on the matter. They spoke of 'the greater good' and 'The Age of Darkness' as though things that concerned them. The prince could tell that his father was refusing to meet his eyes and he was, in a way, ashamed. He felt that what they said made sense. His father insisted that he would ensure the survival of their race but in these dark times there could be no certainty that the shadows would not touch their lands. Each day they grew closer to their home, he could feel it.

As the evening bled into the sky the matter remained unresolved. Legolas was impressed and unsurprised by the stubbornness his father showed but his lack of concern for the rest of Middle Earth outside of their Kingdom was worrying. Back and forth they argued about the message sent by Lord Elrond. He had requested the King send representatives to a council and it was clear in the message that the matter was not simply to be glossed over.

"Father," he said quietly at one point in their quarrelling. His father looked to him immediately.

"Yes, Legolas. What is it?"

Dozens of eyes fell to him then and adrenaline spiked through his blood as he spoke.

"I should care to travel to Rivendell. To meet with Lord Elrond."

He felt then that the wisest option would be to simply put the words back into his mouth, given his father's expression. Cold and steely eyes narrowed and he gave a dry laugh.

"How funny," he said abruptly, assuring his son that he did not agree.

"If you will not go, father, should I not go in your stead? To be your ears and your...to ...to be an advocate for the Mirkwood realm," he finished quickly as he avoided his father's gaze.

"You don't know what you say, Legolas," the King told him gently, wishing not to embarrass him or chide him in front of the council. He was almost a fully grown elf but he was still in Thranduil's mind, a child.

"I should like to see Rivendell, father," he said quietly in his most persuasive manner. It was cruel of him to play on his father's love for him but over the years he had feared leaving Mirkwood. He could not leave his father, he saw the pain and the anguish in him and he knew that he feared that he would leave one day to never return. He saw then the softening of his father's features and he knew that there was hope.