16

"Where is my son." This one sentence was filled with so much raw anger it could be assumed it came from the dark lord himself, but alas it was the Elven king who harnessed this fury.

Almost immediately after Keldir had successfully hidden himself amongst the rows of fierce warrior's, a group of men approached the king. These men were definitely diplomats, for it made Keldir cringe when he imagined these men welding anything other than a pen.

The so called mayor of the town was at the front of the group, but he looked nothing like a leader should. In fact he looked like he wanted nothing mare than to run away and leave his people to face the elven kings wraith on their own. Keldir couldn't help but think of this man as a coward.

"I asked you a question human, where is my son?" The word human was spoken with so much venomous hate that it sounded like a curse.

"I...I didn't k..know it was your s.. son. I would have..have"

"You would have what? Looked for him?"

"Y..yes" The man looked like he was going to pass out at any moment, and came very close to actually doing so when he saw the furious glint in the king's eyes. Apparently this wasn't the right answer.

"It shouldn't matter wether or not it's my son." He growled before grabbing the front of the man's tunic and hauling him off his feet.

"I expect you to take an interest in all elves who go missing within your pathetic town. Or do you agree with the capture and enslavement of elves?"

"N...no of course n..not." The last of the man's composure had crumbled the moment the elven king had grabbed his tunic. Uncontrollable tears could be seen running down his face, which only added to the Elven king's pleasure.

Thranduil offered the man a feral smile. It was clear that this man was informed about Legolas disappearance and yet he chose to sit back and watch, for that he would pay.

"Keldir come here please." He summoned without taking his eyes off the man. If the young elf could confirmed the king's suspicions then it was within his rights to arrest this man for being an accomplice to treason.

"Yes Hir nin?" Keldir was struggling not to smile. After all he had spent the past week trying to get this man to help him, but he was always turned away.

"Keldir, can you confirm that this 'man' knew about the princes disappearance?"

"Yes Hir nin. I personally came to him four times asking for aid in the search for Prince Legolas, but I was turned away everytime."

"Hannon le penneth. You may return to your place now."

"Yes Hir nin." Now Keldir did smile. This man was in trouble, he had seen the look on his kings face.

"I hear by announce you under arrest for treason against Mirkwood. Is there any here who would like to defend this man?"

There was a collective gasp from the growing crowd when the charge was announced but no one was willing to appose the Elven king.

"Good." Throwing the man to the ground Thranduil signalled for a handful of elves to come and escort this man back to Mirkwood where he could await sentencing.

As the elves approached the man on the ground began screaming out for help. The rational part of his mind knew no help would come, but his fear drove him into an irrational state of desperation.

He fought hard kicking and punching at the air, but before long the elves had a hold on everyone of his limbs and further struggle became futile.

The humans who had gathered showed no loyalty towards their ex-mayor which was no surprise to the elven king. He had always known humans were incapable of loyalty. The only thing they cared about is clinging to their own mortal lives for as long as they can.

"If information about my son is not provided immediately, then many more of you can expect to be spending the rest of your short lives in the Mirkwood dungeons. All information given will act as a pardon, which means all crimes committed shall be forgiven. But If you do not come forward and I'm informed of your misdeeds through someone else you can expect a very heavy punishment. Am I clear."

Thranduil deamed this the most efficient way to get humans to talk. Their lack of loyalty and self preservation instincts would drive them to betray each other in an instant.

A murmur rippled through the crowd but before long Thranduil was proven correct. Driven by fear a few men stepped forward.

"Your H... Highness, I heard a man called Kole bragging a...about having your son." A brown haired older man announce.

"S...sir" Another man yelled. "I...I am K..Kole and I let your son g..go days ago. This is all a misunderstanding."

"A misunderstanding you say...Guards!"

The colour drained from Koles face as the king yelled out for his guards. "You.. you said we would be pardoned?"

The King glared at the man. "I said I would pardon anyone who held information about my son, but it seems you're lying to me. Do you take me as a fool?"

"N..no I swear I don't have 'im anymore." He was becoming more and more flustered under the intense glare of the Elven king.

"What did you do with my son?" Growled Thranduil.

Kole could see he had no hope of escape so he gave up on appealing to the king's humanity.

"I made him scream before the end. I made him beg, like the loyal pet he was." He sneared at the elven king.

The crowd was silent in anticipation for what the Elven king would do, most of the elves expected the Elven king to behead the insolent man on the spot, but it seemed the king had different plans.

Making his way over to the man he looked murderous. He stopped just in front of the man before punching him square in the face.

Kole collapsed upon impact and lay on the ground clutching his nose.

"Where is my son?" The King repeated in an oddly calm voice.

"He... I threw him in the river. He's dead."

"You lie." Thranduil spat at the man before picking him up of the ground.

"I don't lie. He's gone." Kole had a look of acceptance on his face. He knew he was going to die, there was no point in denying it now.

Thranduil growled before handing him over to another elf. As much as he hating to admit it this man was being truthful.

"Ganduil, I want elves searching the river. The prince cannot be dead, I would know if he was."

"Yes Hir nin, and what of this...man?" Ganduil questioned. He had been the captain of the Mirkwood Army for the past millennium and was very loyal to the Royal family.

"He will be coming back to Mirkwood with me. He has wronged Legolas the most, so it should be Legolas who gets to decide his fate." The king sighed. "Unfortunately I can't stay and look for the prince I have been away from Mirkwood to long as it is, but I trust you implicitly. Find my son."


Sorry for the short chapter the next one should be longer. Thanks for reading. ;)