Elrond looked up from his paperwork at the knock on his door. "Enter," he called, waiting for whatever it was that needed his attention.
One of the guards entered. "My lord, a bird just arrived with a message for you." He held out a scroll and Elrond recognized the seal of Eryn Galen.
He took the scroll, curious what Thranduil wanted. Due to the distance between their realms and the possibility for birds to perish on the way communication was sparse between them. "Thank you, Hirion."
The guard bowed and left while Elrond broke the seal and unrolled the parchment. What he read made him frown and stride to his door. He opened it and called a passing servant. "Please send for Glorfindel and my sons. Ask them to come to my study immediately."
"Yes, my lord." The servant hurried away and Elrond closed the door, reading the message a second time, his feeling of dread only increasing.
Glorfindel was the first to arrive, a few minutes after Elrond had sent for him. He saw Elrond's face and knew immediately that something was up.
"What's wrong?" he asked, frowning.
Wordlessly Elrond handed him the message.
Glorfindel read it and his features darkened. "They don't have any idea what happened and where he could be?"
Elrond shook his head. "Obviously not. You see that Thranduil thinks anything possible, otherwise he wouldn't have notified us. Have there been unusual orc activities in the mountains recently?"
"No, not more than usual. The patrols even managed to clear out two cave systems, so at the moment the danger is even less than before."
There was a short knock at the door before it opened and Elladan and Elrohir came in. Both twins wore their swords, obviously they had just come in from the training grounds. "You asked for us, Ada?" Elladan asked.
"Yes." Elrond took a deep breath. I just received a message from Thranduil. Legolas has disappeared after a run-in with wargs."
"What?" both twins exclaimed, shocked.
Their father nodded. "Thranduil writes that he was on his way to an elvish settlement but didn't arrive in time. They sent a message to the stronghold and Thranduil and the search party found the site of a battle with dead wargs lying around. They also found Legolas' dead horse and his weapons but there was no sign of him." He swallowed, imagining how Thranduil must feel right now. "They searched the site and the surroundings but so far they found nothing. He has simply disappeared."
Elladan and Elrohir exchanged a look. "What can we do?"
Glorfindel chimed in. "I think Thranduil is desperate and wants to cover every option. Otherwise he wouldn't have sent word to us. Even if there was no sign of orcs in the vicinity maybe he fears that Legolas has been taken by orcs and brought into one of their dens."
Elrond nodded. "We can send parties into the mountains, to search for any signs of unusual activities there and to see if they find more orc holes but other than that I don't know what we can do to help. Thranduil has every able warrior out, looking for Legolas."
"We want to help, Ada," Elrohir said. "Legolas is our friend, we have to do something."
"I know how you feel. Thranduil told me that he also notified Lothlorien, I'll contact Galadriel and ask her if she sees anything." Elrond turned to Glorfindel. "Can you arrange the patrols?"
Glorfindel nodded. "I would like to put Alarca in charge of these and the twins and I will join the search after you consulted with Galadriel."
"Alright," Elrond agreed, looking to his sons for their consent. Both nodded, obviously anxious to head out.
"I'll send a message to Thranduil, telling him of our plans and asking for news," he decided.
Glorfindel and the twins nodded and left his study to ready their packs for the journey. Even if they didn't have the slightest idea where Legolas was and if they would come even close to his location, everything was better than staying in Imladris, doing nothing.
Legolas sat down beneath a tree in defeat. Another day of fruitless traveling was over, without any sign of civilization. He plucked a few leaves and chewed them, trying to ignore his growling stomach. The hunger was bad by now and he felt nearly sick with it and the headache. Slowly he looked around, searching for anything more satisfying than a few leaves. He found a blackberry bush and hastily plucked and ate what berries he could find. It wasn't much, obviously animals had been there before but at least it was something.
As far as he could discern, the mountains were slowly coming nearer, even if very slow. He decided to keep his course, somewhere there had to be a farm or a town. At least that was what he desperately hoped. He knew that he couldn't go on like this for much longer, the hunger and the pain were weakening him.
Weary and dispirited he leaned against the tree. His head hurt again badly and he knew that he needed to rest. He curled up beneath the tree and tried to find the oblivion of sleep.
Thranduil stood at the edge of the camp, staring out into the night. They had been searching for several days now, finding nothing. No trace of Legolas had been found, no sign of further struggle, nothing. They had met the search party from Dolamar and spread out but absolutely nothing had turned up. He knew that he finally would have to admit defeat and return to the stronghold. He would still send out search parties, but he was needed at the palace and it seemed futile to personally lead the search any longer. Even if he would have liked to turn every stone on Arda until he found something. He tried to suppress the fear that welled up in him. What if they never found out what happened? What if Legolas just stayed lost? He didn't know how he would cope with that.
With a heavy sigh he turned and stepped back into the camp. Tomorrow he would have to do one of the hardest things he had to do so far. He would tell the warriors that it was time to return to the stronghold.
Legolas had lost count of how long he was now traveling, trying to find help. His head still hurt and his memory continued to elude him. Every time he tried to remember something, he came up empty. He was getting desperate; the loneliness and the lack of supplies were getting to him. Worst of all was the emptiness where his memory should be. He could remember common things, like animals and plants, so he knew their names and he also knew which plants were edible and which ones he should avert. But regarding his person or his life, everything was gone. He didn't remember his life at all, didn't remember if he had a family or anything like that. It was disconcerting to miss his whole life.
He once more made his way through the plains toward the mountain range when he smelled smoke, instinctively knowing that it would probably be the fire from a camp.
Carefully he made his way forward, trying to discern if it was safe to show himself. The smell of cooking food wafted to him, making his mouth water and his stomach grumble. Still he tried to keep his caution, checking first if it appeared safe.
He could hear voices as he crept closer and finally discerned that there were two men, sitting at a fire and talking quietly with each other. They wore simple but sturdy clothing and he couldn't see much of weapons. One of them held a knife while he cut pieces of dried meat and added them to the pot that hung above the fire. It looked like they were hunters, a few pelts were lying nearby, bound together. He couldn't sense any other men or horses and finally he decided to approach them, since he didn't really have much of a choice in his situation. He needed to stop travelling aimlessly, lost in the wilderness, with no knowledge where he could turn to.
So hesitantly, he stepped out of the concealing brush into the clearing the men had chosen as their camping site.
One of the men looked up, noticing Legolas and springing to his feet. "Hello," he said, surprised. "He scrutinized Legolas for a moment before he continued. "What is an elf doing here in this part of Middle Earth all on his own?"
The other man had also scrambled to his feet, still holding the knife he had used. He stared at Legolas with surprise and a bit of awe clearly written on his face.
As Legolas remined silent for a moment, he spoke up. "Master elf, can we help you somehow? You look as if you had a tough time recently."
Finally Legolas decided to speak, surprised that he found the language a bit harsh to his ears, as if he were used to something else. "Indeed, I thank you for your offer. I would appreciate a place at your fire and something to eat. I lost my way and can't remember what happened to me." Something inside him was against disclosing his situation but what choice did he really have? He couldn't even tell them a name, let alone give any other information they would ask for.
The two men exchanged a glance, obviously more than surprised at his admission.
"I have never heard of an elf losing his memory," the first one spoke up. "Please, join us at our fire. I'm Trey, that is Dillan," he pointed at his companion. "We are hunters and traders and on our way to a market in a nearby village."
Legolas cautiously got nearer and sat down at the fire opposite of them. "Thank you," he said politely, still not being able to believe that finally he had found somebody who could help him.
Dillan took a bowl and ladled some of the stew he had been making into it, then he stood and came closer, offering the bowl and a spoon to Legolas. "Here, master elf, you must be hungry."
Legolas took the bowl and spoon gratefully. "Thank you," he said, trying to restrain himself enough to not wolf the stew down within moments.
"So you don't remember anything?" Trey asked, sympathetically. "That must be terrible."
Legolas shook his head. "I woke up several days ago near a river. Obviously, I have been in a fight but so far I don't remember."
"Hm," Dillan chimed in. "It's unusual for an elf to travel alone in this part. The next elven settlements are a fair distance from here."
Legolas took a deep breath. Finally, his situation seemed to improve. They knew what he was and they knew where others like him lived. Surely, they could help him to reach his people.
The bowl was empty and he put it down, trying to hide the fact that he was still hungry.
But Trey seemed to guess, because he lifted the pot and said, "there's enough left, do you want some more?"
"Yes, please," Legolas said gratefully, offering the bowl for a refill.
Trey gave him a generous helping and Legolas started eating again, noting that the men started whispering.
"Don't you realize how lucky we are?" he heard Trey murmuring to Dillan, obviously unaware that Legolas could hear every word. "He doesn't remember anything. If we offer to take him to his people he will come with us willingly. Do you know what certain people would be willing to pay for an elf?"
Dillan listened to his companion and his face lit up. "You mean we take him to the nearest town and sell him to a brothel? Do you think you can pull it off?"
"I know somebody in Barwick, I'm sure I can arrange something with him."
"Well, if that isn't our lucky day then," Dillan agreed, grinning. "He will even come willingly if we tell him we'll help him find his kin."
Legolas listened carefully, pretending to be totally occupied with eating. He marveled that they were so careless but obviously they didn't know that his hearing was so good that he could hear every word. It was his luck that they were so thoughtless because otherwise he would have jumped at the chance to accompany them, believing them when they had told him they would bring him to a town where other elves dwelled.
He finished the stew, not wanting to waste a good meal when soon he would have to scavenge for food again and considered how to leave. Should he pretend to accept their help and steal away in the night? But he didn't like the way they were looking at him and maybe they would change their mind and try to capture him so he should make his escape as soon as possible.
Carefully he put the bowl down onto the ground and got up.
The men noticed his movements and turned towards him.
"I changed my mind," Legolas said, pulling his dagger and retreating backwards. "I thank you for your hospitality but I have to leave."
"Master elf," Trey said, "trying to sound soothing and confused, "I don't know what's wrong with you, but we mean you no harm." They slowly closed in on Legolas from both sides and Trey exchanged a look with Dillan, who crept ever closer. Legolas tried to keep an eye on both of them, dagger in hand and slowly taking a step back. Suddenly Dillan lunged at Legolas, grasping his arm with both hands and trying to push it down. But Legolas shook him off easily, revealing far superior strength and managing to instead catch Dillan's arm, twisting it up high behind his back, so he couldn't move. He raised his dagger and held it to his throat, causing him to freeze in an instant.
"I suggest you don't follow me," Legolas said coldly, "otherwise you'll force me to use this." He pushed the man away towards Trey, causing him to crash into him, sending them both tumbling to the ground, then he turned around and fled from the camp. The men cursed and watched his retreating form but it took them too long to untangle and pick themselves up and they were too much of cowards to pursue him now that he was aware that they had bad intentions.
Legolas walked through the night, intent on putting as much distance as possible between himself and the men, in case they tried something again. At least he had been lucky that he obviously had abilities they didn't know about. If he hadn't heard them talking, things would have ended badly for him. He also was surprised to learn that he was much stronger than them.
So he was an elf, that was what the men had called him. Unfortunately, that knowledge didn't help him much. He didn't know where he could find other elves.
With a deep sigh he continued his flight, trying not the despair that his situation seemed even more bleak than before. If the incident had taught him one thing, then that he couldn't trust anybody, regardless how friendly they were and if they seemed to want to help.
Glorfindel and the twins set out to search for Legolas only three hours after Elrond received the message from Thranduil, eager to be on their way. They had studied the map of the region where Legolas had vanished first, deciding on their best course of action.
Dolamar was on the northwestern edge of Mirkwood and they knew that Thranduil and the search parties had searched that region thoroughly, especially south of it, in case something had happened to Legolas that caused him to be taken to Dol Guldur. So they decided to cross the Hithaeglir and search west of the Anduin, in case he somehow had made his way there. It was a slim possibility but nonetheless worth a try. After all, Thranduil's search so far had yielded no results.
They made their way up into the mountains until darkness fell, looking for signs of orc activity as they passed, but pressing on, knowing that Alarca and his warriors would search the mountains thoroughly in case a group of orcs had managed to capture Legolas and drag him into their dens. The thought of his unknown fate disturbed them, reminding them painfully of Celebrian, who had been abducted and tortured by orcs decades ago. They also felt deeply for Thranduil, whom they all liked greatly. The thought of what he was going through right now, not knowing what was happening to his son, added to their unrest.
The first night they had trouble sleeping, silently wondering about Legolas' fate, so when morning dawned, they hurried to get ready and continue on their way.
Thranduil sat in his study, head in his hands, trying desperately to chase away the dark thoughts. As much as he had wanted to press on, he had finally informed Angon that the time had come to return home and coordinate the search from there.
Angon had reassured him that they would send every available warrior out but still Thranduil had felt as if he was abandoning Legolas. Right now, several groups of warriors and even civil volunteers were out, searching for his son, but he couldn't shake the feeling of dread and despair.
He had notified Imladris and Lothlorien, even Mithlond, about what had happened, asking them to keep an eye out for his son, in case he had been abducted somewhere. He was at his wits end by now and it was hard to keep the desperation at bay. Feron, Dilloth and Celairdir did the best they could to try to support him while Angon and Galdor were out there, turning everything upside down in their search for their missing prince. Mentally Thranduil knew that he had done what he could to find Legolas but that didn't help his feeling of failure.
He refused to believe that Legolas was dead. As long as they hadn't found his body he clung to hope, even if it was harder to do so each day. He was on the verge of despair, holding on by a fine thread. He spent his days gazing at the map at his wall and wondering what had happened, trying not to come up with new bad scenarios of what could have befallen his son.
The door opened and Feron entered. He saw his friend's dejected posture and sorrow filled him. Thranduil looked haunted. Deep circles beneath his eyes revealed that sleep eluded him. He sat hunched over, a plate with uneaten food beside him. Feron too was deeply worried about Legolas but now he also feared for his friend. He wished there were more they could do to find Legolas and he knew that the uncertainty slowly destroyed the worried king.
"Elrond sent word," he addressed his friend. "I took the liberty of reading the message." Thranduil lifted his head from his hands and nodded for him to go on. "He sent out warriors to search the mountains, in case orcs managed to catch Legolas. He also contacted Galadriel but so far she couldn't help, the mirror didn't show her anything useful."
Thranduil lowered his head into his hands again. For a while there was silence, while Feron crossed the room and sank into a chair in front of Thranduil's desk. Finally, Thranduil looked up again. "What do we do?" he asked despondently.
"Keep searching," Feron said. "What else can we do? And trying to not lose hope."
Thranduil sighed. "It's hard not to do that."
Feron leaned forward and laid a hand on his shoulder in sympathy. "I know," he said softly, "I know."
TBC