Legolas draped his cloak over his shoulders and buckled the clasp before lifting the hood so it covered his silver-white hair. He had just put Kirion the bed and it was half an hour before the time he had promised to meet his team at their old place.
He opened his window and agilely jumped onto the tree branch outside his room. He whistled before scaling effortlessly down the tree. Only a few minutes after his feet touched the ground Móre emerged from the darkness. Legolas used a few seconds stroking his mane before jumping onto his saddleless back and urging him to ride.
The woods around the grounds were silent as Legolas rode through them. He rode past the barrack and made his way to the old one. No one used it anymore, and no one cared what went on down there. Everyone thought it was falling apart, so therefore they had no idea it was now being used as headquarters and training facilities for him and his team. They had even restored the tunnels and secret entrances under it.
Once he was there Legolas jumped off Móre and ran his hand over his forehead and muzzle, a motion he had made Móre understand meant stay. Thereafter he walked to the entrance of the old building and opened the door before slipping inside. He heard laughter as he walked through the corridor to the training hall. Whereas the corridor was made of old and crumbling walls, the double doors it led to were new and held the symbol of a spider.
He pushed open both the door and stepped inside before throwing back his hood. He had restored the training hall some time ago. There were mats on the floor and a spiral staircase leading down to the tunnels in the far corner. Torches cast a warm glow over the room and the two elves sparring on the middle mat. The other ten were sitting along the walls cheering, laughing and joking.
The older ones had joined on the left wall to the mat, Gruinor, Osbon, Ecthel and Thand. Gruinor was in the process of telling something to the others in a way that only he could do it, with a gruff voice and boisterous movements, soon his booming laughter was heard throughout the training hall, and the others joined in, most of them shaking their heads.
The younger were clearly more interested in the fight and were watching with apt concentration. Taenor, Maer, Hiwon and Roben weren't talking except sometimes commenting on the fight, while Callon and Amath were sitting with joined heads and, if he knew them right, were gambling on who would lose.
Legolas smiled, Húron and Pengon were facing each other with smiles on their lips in a mock dual.
"Move your feet!" Legolas called.
Their smiles grew and they turned to him. "You move your feet!" Húron exclaimed and they rushed him. Legolas chuckled as he dodged their swords. He reached up and drew his two knives in time to catch their next attacks. His left arm gave slightly away under Pengon's sword and a wince passed over his face. Immediately Pengon withdrew his blade, Húron did as well a moment later.
"You're wounded." Pengon stated.
"There was a war." Legolas said, "You all know my aptitude for attracting trouble, you should hardly be surprised. I think some of them were very determined to kill me."
"Yes we have heard stories about that." Húron said soberly, "About attacks, betrayals, heroism …and deaths, replacements."
Legolas sighed and motioned for the two of them and the others the follow him through the open door in the side of the hall to another room with a large round table in the middle. On the back wall there was a large painting of the map of Mirkwood.
Legolas sat down in one of the chairs and waited for the others to do the same before asking, "How much do you know?"
Húron answered, "We were at lunch in the barrack and the others told us pretty much what had been going on this past month. We know that it started with an attack at the crossing, which you and Aewon led. There were multiple attacks on your life after that weren't there? Being a prince certainly has its disadvantages, but seriously how do you gain so many people that hate you? Did you make them all fire a hundred arrows in a row saying that for each one that didn't hit dead center, they would have to do thirty pushups?"
"Come on." Legolas huffed, "You know I would only do that with you guys. Beneath all the glares that were directed at me, I could tell that you loved me."
"You'd have to look very deeply and have a very good imagination laddie." Gruinor said gruffly, "I swear you were looking ta kill us all."
"I had no such intent." Legolas said calmly.
"Legolas." Pengon said. Legolas directed his attention to him. "Is it true? Is Aewon really dead?"
"Yes." Legolas said slowly, "Yes, it is true."
Pengon's face fell and sadness flooded into his eyes. Uproar started from multiple places around the table, as the different reactions started. Most of them took the news quietly, but others had fiercer tempers.
Gruinor slammed his fist into the table, "I'll kill 'em! There ain't nobody who's gettin' away with this without meetin' my sword! Where are they?" He reached for his sword, but Osbon grabbed his arm and forced it down. Gruinor struggled against his hold and punched Osbon in the face. Soon they were fighting on the floor.
"We should have never left!" Taenor hissed, and clenched his jaw to keep his emotions at bay. Maer reached over and slung his arm around Taenor's neck and drew him closer until their foreheads were touching. The two of them were brothers, Teanor the youngest. Legolas had always respected the relationship the two of them had.
Hiwon was the only one who let a tear slide down his cheek. His head was held high and his chin lifted, but that did not stop the flood of emotions in his eyes. Only one tear fell though. He had been close to Aewon, had lived beside him for almost the entire time Aewon had been in Mirkwood. They were about the same age and they had trained together.
Amath growled and picked up his sword before pushing his chair back and standing up, most likely to go and murder the nearest tree as he always did when he was angry and upset. Legolas let him; he knew that Amath didn't like showing his emotions in front of others, because he felt like they made him weak.
Húron reached over and clasped Legolas' forearm. His eyes were serious and collected, though they also showed pain. "How are you handling his death?" He asked quietly.
"I'm still alive, aren't I?" Legolas chuckled humorlessly.
The pain and sadness in Húron's eyes grew, and he squeezed his arm.
Legolas looked around. Thand and Callon had joined Gruinor and Osben in the fight on the floor, apparently looking to release their anger.
Legolas stood up and slammed his palm down on the table. "That's enough!" He bellowed. "Stop this or I will make true my threat about making you fire a hundred arrows and doing thirty pushups for every failed shot." The fighting stopped. "The orcs that were responsible for Aewon's death are already killed and burned. Sit down."
The elves got to their feet grumbling and returned to their seats. Legolas sat down as well.
"I assume you also know that Lord Canben was behind these attacks?" There were nods around the table. "That the king and I were captured, the final battle and what happened during the feast?" More nods. "Good. Then I don't have to use the whole night explaining it to you."
"Legolas, what exactly did happen during the feast?" Pengon asked. "We were told that a force from Dol Guldur tried to tear down the barrier around the halls and that the king and you warded off the attack. Why would Dol Guldur attack us like this, now?"
"I will be honest with you Pengon and say that I do not know for certain." Legolas said, "What I think happened, is that it was a force in Dol Guldur that influenced Canben to make this decision and gave him the orcs so he could accomplish it, as an easy way of getting rid of us. What that force didn't realize was that we had enough strength to withstand it and that is why it attacked us that evening. Because it had found out what had happened and wanted to learn where we had the strength. It has attack the barrier twice since the first time, but in a lesser degree."
"That is grave news." Thand said.
"It doesn't know you." Húron said thoughtfully. Legolas arched an eyebrow to him. "It's quite obvious isn't it? If your role in this is, as I've understood then you're the one who drove the enemy back, rallied our forces and turned the tide of the battle. From what we've gathered about what happened at the feast it was also you who pushed the force back so the king could redo the barrier. That barrier has been there for a long time Legolas, it is possible that whatever the force is it doesn't now of your birth nor your strength."
"Aye." Legolas sighed, "That is possible."
"Another one who wants to kill you?" Roben smirked, "You really have outdone yourself this time Legolas."
Legolas smiled apologetically, but then sobered, "I have put you guys on the patrol going closest to Dol Guldur. I don't think anyone else will be able to do it. I'll go with you as many times as I can."
"Hell no lad." Gruinor exclaimed, "If what Húron says it right, then we aught to keep ya' as far away from there as possible. If ya' go and get yerself killed then there'll be no defenses to hold 'em back."
"Gruinor is right." Húron agreed, "For Mirkwood, it is best if you don't come with us. Just get your sorry ass married and we'll take care of the active duties." He cracked his knuckles.
"That depends on how active he is planning to be." Ecthel smirked while moving his eyebrows up and down. The table burst out laughing.
"I should just send you all to your deaths." Legolas groaned. "Go do some laps or something."
"This calls for a drink!" Ecthel exclaimed still laughing. He stood up and while passing Callon, punched him over the head and said, "Go and get Amath!"
Callon got up and went to get him and by the time they were all there Ecthel had found thirteen glasses of whiskey and passed them round.
"To Aewon." Legolas said as he brought the glass into the air. The others did the same and all of them took and large gulp of it.
After a couple of glasses Legolas said, "I appointed Sarnor as captain."
"Sarnor…?" Taenor said groggily and hiccupped, "Whose… Who's Sarnor…?" Taenor really couldn't take alcohol, so Legolas just ignored him. He knew that Taenor was, in a sober state, fully aware of whom Sarnor was.
"That pipsqueak?" Gruinor laughingly roared, "Why 'im?"
"I don't know exactly." Legolas answered and took another sip of whiskey. "I do agree that he isn't our best fighter and that he is a little inexperienced, but he has a good heart and a willingness to serve his kingdom. He even asked me to train him after hearing that I had trained you."
Thand barked with laugher. "So he's inexperienced, crazy and deluded?"
"Do bring him here sometime, we would love to greet him!" Amath called. "We promise we won't bite!"
Legolas laughed, "See to it that you don't. I'll bring him here; it'll probably be good for him as long as he doesn't end up losing his life. That would be a real shame. I don't want to hear about any of you guys harassing him either!"
Very sincere words sprung from the mouths of everyone around the table, so sincere that it was utterly suspicious. Who was he joking, if they wanted the harass Sarnor then what could he do to stop them?
Four more glasses of whiskey were poured on him before he was able to slip away. Even after that the party still went on inside the old barrack.
Móre was still waiting for him outside and shook his head with a snort when Legolas stepped up to him in his halfway drunk state. Legolas took hold of his harness and started guiding him back towards the halls. He was fortunately sober enough to realize that it probably wasn't a good idea to ride on Móre.
Legolas sung old drinking songs under his breath as he made his way over the grounds, occasionally making small skips in his stride.
O
It took an hour before he neared the lighted stables. He opened the door and led Móre inside.
"Where have you been?"
Legolas turned his head in the direction of the voice and found Elrond leaning against the booth his own horse was in. He was arching his eyebrow in a typical Elrond-like way.
"Met up with some old friends." Legolas quipped.
Elrond's eyebrows suddenly went skywards and he asked with a suspicious note in his voice, "Are you drunk?" There was just something about Legolas that seemed different than his usual self and he could faintly smell alcohol.
Legolas smiled ruefully, "That obvious, huh?" He led Móre over to his stall and took the harness off him. "They did press some glasses of whiskey on me. We held a toast for Aewon."
"They knew Aewon?" Elrond asked and stepped over to Móre's booth.
"Um hmm." Legolas hummed, "He was part of our team, second-in-command under me. All twelve of the others just came back from a long term patrol in the eastern lands."
Legolas ran his hand over Móre's neck before walking out of his booth and towards the exit of the stables.
"Where are you going?" Elrond asked as he caught up with Legolas. Legolas was whistling lowly.
"I'm going for a walk." Legolas said and continued whistling.
"I really think that the only walk you should be going for right now is to your bed." Elrond said and reached out to take Legolas' arm, "Come on."
Legolas danced out of the way laughing, "I'll be fine Elrond."
Elrond groaned and rolled his eyes, "At least let me accompany you."
"Mm hmm." Legolas hummed and started walking again, "You sure you want to?"
"Yes." Elrond answered, finding a drunken Legolas a rather amusing sight.
Legolas was a few steps in front of him and shifted between whistling and singing under his breath as he walked purposely through the forest. He wondered where Legolas was going.
After a quarters walk Elrond finally voiced his question, "Where are you leading us Legolas?"
"Why the graveyard of course." Legolas said in a singsong voice, as if it was the most obvious in the entire world.
Elrond stopped walking in surprise. Legolas didn't notice this because at the next moment he jumped onto the lower branch of one of the trees. Elrond watched him as he climbed around plucking some leaves. He heart was in his throat at the though of Legolas falling down because of the alcohol. "Legolas get down from there!" He shouted and ran up to the tree.
Legolas' musical laughter came from somewhere in the tree and at the next moment he jumped down and landed effortlessly beside him. Elrond breathed a sigh of relief and gazed at the leaves in Legolas' hand.
"What are you going to do with those?"
"I'm going to put them at their graves." Legolas answered and started walking again.
"Leaves?"
"Yes my name does mean green leaf." Legolas said matter-of-factly, "It would just ruin the purpose if I went around plucking flowers, don't you think?"
"I guess."
"When I was an elfling I would always find two leaves and run inside to give them to my mother." Legolas told. Elrond was surprised; it wasn't often that Legolas mentioned his memories. "And I would say 'Mom this is you and this is me' and she would say it was lovely, but still ask 'where is your father then?' and I would answer her 'he's the tree mom, because he takes care of us and of all the people in Mirkwood'."
Elrond smiled warmly. The scene wasn't hard to imagine, he could never forget how incredibly sweet Legolas had been as an elfling. There was a hint of sadness inside him as well though, when he heard this admiration Legolas must have had for his father and thought of what Thranduil had done to him.
They walked some ways in silence before Legolas asked in a voice that made Elrond question if he was even drunk. "I showed the twins my memories, have they told you?"
Elrond nodded, "Yes, they told me."
"Did they have a reaction to it?" Legolas asked, "Did they cry, blame themselves, get angry, anything?"
"They took it calmly." Elrond said, "At least when they spoke with me."
"Hmm…" Legolas hummed thoughtfully, "Then maybe I did underestimate them."
Elrond hesitated before asking, "Legolas, will you remember any of this tomorrow?"
"Yep." Legolas answered, "Every ounce of it."
"Then I would like to use this moment where we are alone to apologize for what I did at the feast." Elrond said, with regret clear in his voice. "You were right, it was not fair to you. I should never have done it."
"Mm hmm." Legolas hummed, "Yes it really wasn't one of your most brilliant moments Elrond, but then again even old elves like you can't be wise constantly, that would be astounding. You made a bad decision; there is nothing more to it. Your intentions were good enough, as they have always been. Why should I throw away a lifetime of good relationship with you over just one bad decision?"
"One incredibly bad decision that hurt you." Elrond said, "You were right to get angry at me, in fact you still should be. Have I lost all your trust?"
"Trust is a fickle thing." Legolas said, his tone bordering on philosophical. "Am I more guarded about what I say to you now in comparison to earlier? Yes, I am. Does that mean that I will not confide in you when necessary? No, it does not. I hope and trust that you do not repeat the mistake."
"I will not." Elrond promised.
Legolas smiled warmly to Elrond and after a second his eyes gained a mischievous spark. "I'll race you there!" That was all the warning Elrond got before Legolas bolted.
With a subtle curse Elrond set after him, even though he was running at high speed he soon lost sight of Legolas. A smile nonetheless appeared on his lips at Legolas' carefree attitude, he was without a doubt drunk, but Elrond wasn't exactly sure if he disliked the effects the alcohol had on the elf.
There was one thing that was for certain at least, Valar he was fast!
Elrond slowed down and started following Legolas' faint footprints in the soil. He couldn't find the graveyard from where he was now without Legolas to guide him so it would be foolish to just plunge into the forest.
When Elrond stepped out of the trees and onto the graveyard he immediately saw Legolas' figure kneeling by one of the graves. Elrond recognized the spot to be where the queen had been buried. Quietly Elrond walked through the rows and up towards Legolas. Legolas looked up when he heard him coming and Elrond was surprised by the unbarred sadness in his eyes, apparently the alcohol made him lower his barriers.
Elrond kneeled beside Legolas and laid his arm around his shoulders. Legolas breathed deeply and leaned his head on Elrond's shoulder while gazing at the grave. Elrond saw that Legolas had taken two of the large leaves he had collected, entwined their stalks and placed them before the gravestone.
They stayed there for some time before Legolas slowly got to his feet and started strolling along the rows looking at the gravestones.
"Who are you looking for?" Elrond asked gently.
"Aewon." Legolas answered.
"You don't know where his grave is?"
"By the time they were burying him I was more than likely getting tortured so no I didn't make it to the funeral and haven't had the time since." Legolas said bitterly. "I shouldn't even have to look for him like this… I should be able to call his name and have him answer me…"
Elrond's eyes were filled with sadness and knowing this, Legolas refused to look at him. It wasn't long before Legolas froze and tensed. He stared apprehensively at the next grave as if not wanting to believe what stood on the stone. Elrond swallowed thickly, he had found it.
Legolas almost felt something crash inside him as the final realization set in. Aewon was dead. He knew that, but still it didn't seem as if he had truly believed it until know, until he had seen this grave bearing his name. He wanted to flee, he wanted to get far away but his body had frozen and his eyes had glued to the name.
Every memory he had ever made with Aewon zoomed through his mind at a painful speed ending with the image of his death and now the grave was before him. It was almost too much… Why did he bring Elrond here? Why had he gone here drunk? Why had he been so stupid as to think he could handle this now?
"I don't see why we even decided to restore this place in the first place." Aewon grunted as he pushed the large round table into position in the middle of the room. "I must have been out of my mind when I promised to help you with this."
"Come on Aewon, you know that my idea was brilliant." Legolas laughed from where he was currently painting a map of Mirkwood on that wall. "You said it yourself we needed new training facilities and headquarters. We couldn't continue meeting in the forest."
"I do agree that this is better than the forest, but I still don't get why I said I would help you restore it." Aewon said as he started placing chairs around the table.
"Because you love spending time with me!" Legolas laughed and jumped down from the ladder he was standing on and overlooked the finished result of the map. "Perfect."
Aewon looked it over as well, "Ahh… I think you should redo it, there's something about it I don't like." He said in mock seriousness. Before he could react he had a line on black paint trailing over his cheeks, and Legolas was fleeing into the training hall barking with laughter.
"Why you!" Aewon exclaimed and picked up the nearest sword as he flew over to where Legolas was standing ready with his knives in his hands on the large mat in the middle of the room.
Soon sounds of metal clashing against metal were heard through the old barrack, followed closely by the two elves' laughter. Aewon and Legolas danced around the large room, slashing, parrying and dodging. Aewon had the paintbrush in his other hand and continuously tried to strike Legolas with it. Legolas kept dancing away from the brush, and made it nearly impossible for Aewon to touch him with it.
Suddenly though, Aewon did something unexpected. As Legolas directed an attack at him he lowered his sword at the last second and made Legolas desperately move his knives in another direction to avoid cutting him.
"What were you thinking? I could have killed you!" Legolas exclaimed angrily when he had avoided the disaster. Aewon then flew at him and tackled him to the floor before drawing a black line across his cheek.
Swords and knives forgotten they rolled around on the floor trying to paint one another with the paintbrush.
Half an hour later both of them were lying breathing heavily on the mat. There were smiles on both of their paint-smeared faces.
"I won." Aewon said.
"And how, might I ask, have you come to that conclusion? It's clear that I won." Legolas retorted with a smirk on his lips.
Aewon's eyes narrowed, "We'll count them!" Both of them started counting the number of black lines they had gained.
"Ten." Aewon said.
"Ha!" Legolas exclaimed, "Nine. I win."
Aewon's expression fell and he muttered something indistinct about cheating, royalty and pride. His expression changed to dismay though, when he looked at the mat and saw that it had suffered under their paint-war. There were large stripes of black paint across it.
"And we had just finished." Aewon groaned.
Legolas looked down as well, "Come on. Let's flip it over."
They stood up and grabbed hold of the mat and flipped it. The bottom was identical to the other side so there was no real difference. That was also why they hadn't bothered to replace the mat since and if anyone flipped it they would still see the paint stripes underneath.
To avoid as many elves as possible they locked the doors and took the tunnel from the old barrack to the halls.
On the way there Aewon asked, "Legolas why did you agree to train us in the first place?"
Legolas shrugged, "More elves are dying on duty than before and the darkness has expanded. It is necessary to get stronger if we are to survive." He then smiled to Aewon, "I enjoy it as well."
"I'm sure you do." Aewon grumbled, "Were you trained like this as well Legolas?"
"I was trained more seriously and sternly than any of the others here in Mirkwood when I was younger." Legolas said, "But mostly what I am putting you guys through was a training schedule I made for myself, so I could get stronger. I used to sneak out in the night, or stay on the training grounds longer after my usual lessons to go through the program."
Aewon stared wide-eyed at him, "Are you serious?" He asked incredulously, then shook his head, "Never mind that, I know you are. You're crazy. I'm more than used up by the end of the week with just this program and no additional trainings. You must have been very determined to kill yourself."
"I'm still alive aren't I?" Legolas laughed.
Legolas chuckled softly at the memory. They had made it unseen to his room thereafter and had been about to clean themselves when his father had come into the room. He had stared at them for some time, but then given them the 'I don't want to know'-look and walked out again. Both he and Aewon had burst out laughing.
"Why won't you open up to me?" Aewon asked seriously as he situated himself beside Legolas on the tree branch. It was Aewon's first patrol.
"What are you talking about Aewon?" Legolas chuckled softly and looked over the sleeping company bellow them to check if any were awake. They were on watch.
"You know what I am talking about." Aewon answered and continued to look into Legolas' eyes. "You will talk to me, joke with me and laugh with me, but there is still a barrier between us that you won't lower. Why are you so afraid of letting me in?"
Legolas stared silently at Aewon.
"I've seen you do it with all the others. You let them in to a certain level, but never completely. Why?" Aewon continued. "I know you Legolas and I want to be friends with you, why won't you let me?"
"It's none of your concern." Legolas answered stiffly.
"See? There it was again. As soon as someone tried to go past those walls you shut down and hide in formality." Aewon pressed on, not exactly understand what wounds he was opening.
Legolas couldn't say anything.
"Just tell me why." Aewon said, "Tell me why so I can understand."
Legolas opened his mouth to say something, but then closed it again. He avoided Aewon's gaze by looking down at the company. After a few minutes Aewon opened his mouth to say something again. Legolas snapped his fierce eyes up to Aewon's and whispered sharply, "They all die. That is why."
Shock and remorse flooded into Aewon's expression, and his mouth closed with a snap. Without another word Legolas stood up and climbed from Aewon to another tree.
Nearly an hour passed before Aewon came hesitantly towards him again. "I'm sorry." He said softly. "But I am not going to leave you alone Legolas… I am going to keep coming at you and keep treating you as my friend until those walls fall and nothing you can do is going to stop me. I cannot promise you that I will not die, but I can promise you that I will make it worth it."
Legolas moved closer to the grave and crouched before it. He placed the leaves up against the gravestone. "You did make it worth it my friend." He whispered softly. "A thousand times over. Keep your sword sharp and your body trained because next time I see you I will kill you myself. …Goodbye my friend."
Legolas slowly stood up and turned towards Elrond, who has stopped a few steps away from him, unsure of what to do. "Let's go." He said. Elrond's eyes were pained as he gave a curt nod and started towards the forest. Legolas followed slightly behind him. It wasn't long before Elrond heard Legolas start singing again, this time though it wasn't drinking songs or merry tunes, but the same song he had sung at the feast and somehow it seemed to fit Legolas' voice perfectly.
Elrond, having lost a lot in his life as well, found himself struggling to keep his own emotions at bay as they walked through the forest. There was no hitch in Legolas' voice though, no tremble as he continued to sing. Elrond was once again reminded of the incredible strength and will to live inside this young elf.
"I reckon we should have a glass of wine together, don't you?" Legolas asked as they stepped into the halls' warmth.
Elrond laughed, "No more alcohol for you, I'm afraid. You've already gone and had too much. It's about time we get you to bed."
"Why go to sleep when everything it brings is nightmares?" Legolas sighed.
"You never were the one to run away from nightmares." Elrond said, "Not now and not when you were a child. It never kept you from seeing the good in the world and striving to heal the hurts of any in your path."
"Do excuse me Elrond if I get tired of your flattery." Legolas chuckled, "If I didn't know you better I would believe you were trying to court me. I'm not sure what Faneth would say to that."
Elrond smiled, "You have earned my respect that is all. I promise I will not try to steal you away from your bride."
"My bride." Legolas sighed with a wistful tone and walked on humming to himself.
Elrond chuckled and followed him; planning to continue his baby-sitting duty until he was sure Legolas was either in his bed or in other capable hands.
As they rounded the corner to the royal wing they saw Thranduil talking to the guards with a worried expression. The expression melted away though, when he looked up and saw Legolas.
"Ada!" Legolas called with a smile and sprinted up to him before throwing his arms around his neck.
Thranduil's expression turned surprised and bewildered as he slowly wrapped his arms around Legolas in return. He looked questioning at Elrond.
"He's drunk." Elrond mouthed to him.
Thranduil's expression became even more surprised.
Legolas released his father and asked confused, "What are you still doing up?"
"I was wondering were you had gone, it is after all three in the morning and you should be sleeping." Thranduil answered. He placed his hands on Legolas' shoulders and steered him towards the door to his bedroom. Legolas was rambling about something, but Thranduil didn't listen after the first line. It was something about why he needed to go to sleep.
Thranduil pressed Legolas down so he was sitting on the bed and unclasped his cloak before drawing it off him, followed quickly by his tunic. When he kneeled down to untie Legolas' shoes and pull them off Legolas said, "I went to their graves." Thranduil looked up at him. "I went to mom's grave and Aewon's grave. I hadn't been to hers in a while and I hadn't even seen Aewon's. I had to look for it."
Thranduil felt a pang of sorrow shoot through his heart and gently pulled off Legolas' shoes before pressing him down so he was lying on the bed. "I'm sure they were very happy for your visit." He said and kissed Legolas' forehead. He reached down and drew the covers over him. "Go to sleep. Look forward to a headache in the morning."
"Headache? Why?" Legolas asked confused.
Thranduil smiled and shook his head, "Nothing. Just go to sleep." He stood up, "I'll go thank Elrond, when I look in on you again I want to see you sleeping."
Thranduil walked out of the room and into the hall again. Elrond was standing there with a smirk on his lips.
Thranduil smiled as well. "Valar it's been ages since I've seen him drunk," He chuckled. "Thank you for looking after him. It would have ended in a disaster if he had been allowed to roam around freely in this state."
"I actually think he would have been fine." Elrond said, "He seemed to be able to shift between giving in to the alcohol and being his normal self. His orientation didn't seem affected, though his judgment might have been. I haven't seen him drunk before…"
"How did he get this way?" Thranduil asked, "Did you have anything to do with it?"
"No, he told me that he had been with some old friends and that they had pressed some whiskey on him." Elrond smiled, "I can only imagine how much. He said that they had a toast for Aewon. …We went to the graveyard."
"Yes… he told me." Thranduil said thoughtfully, but then shook his head and smiled to Elrond, "I'm sorry, I won't detain you any longer you've already missed out on a lot of sleep. Thank you once again."
"It was nothing." Elrond waved it away and turned around, fully intent on going to his room and sleeping the rest of the night.
Thranduil walked into Legolas' room once more and a smile found its way to his lips when he saw Legolas deeply asleep on the bed. He was sprawled out and his covers had slid down. Thranduil walked in and pulled the covers up so they covered him before kissing his forehead once more and leaving the room to finally get some rest.
