Disclaimer: I own nothing Tolkien created.

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A/N: Thank you so much to you guys for reviewing this and I hope even those who haven't left a review also enjoyed it.

Mirkwood's Plague

Chapter 5 – Father Vs Son

Legolas, Aragorn, Merry, Pippin Frodo, Sam, Gimli and Gandalf sat around the grand table in the royal dining hall. The Hobbits were amazed at the wide selection of foods. Frodo and Sam had been expecting the traditional fruit and large quantities of Lembas Bread usually associated with the Elves so they were thrilled to see that there was none of the rather dry Elven whey-bread in sight. The table was filled with the most magnificent foods. Only in the house of Elrond and their own home in the Shire had they ever seen anything so grand. Although they were enjoying the wonderful spread as much as the other two Frodo and Pippin never took their eyes off Legolas who was just sat staring down at his untouched food, obviously deep in thought about his fallen brother.

All of them desperately wanted to break the uneasy silence but Aragorn shot them a warning look every now and then to make sure they didn't say anything, especially Pippin. He didn't want them to say anything that would upset Legolas. He knew the young Hobbit had a habit of saying the wrong thing at the wrong time and right then that wasn't something Aragorn wanted happening, everything was too volatile.

"Legolas, Mirkwood is looking especially lovely at the moment," Aragorn desperately tried to break the excruciating silence.

"Ada makes sure it's kept nice; public relations. Rumil worked for months making sure the gardens were up to scratch after the war here. I think he did a good job," Legolas smiled faintly.

"Perhaps you could give the Hobbits a tour of them. I'm sure Rumil would have liked your friends to see his work," Aragorn suggested kindly.

"Do not tell me what my brother would have wanted!" Legolas shouted, his voice echoing through the large hall and stopping the Hobbits piling food into their mouths. Aragorn looked over to the others but his eyes kept drifting back to Legolas. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean that," Legolas sighed, rubbing his hands down his face.

The room was silent as he raked his fingers through his long, golden hair. The Hobbits were looking at their half-full plates, having suddenly lost their appetites – quite something for a Hobbit. Gimli took a long swig of his drink and openly stared at his Elven friend. Aragorn, however, was watching his friend intently, sympathy written all over his rugged face.

The uncomfortable silence was interrupted by a servant slamming the doors open and rushing over to Legolas. The prince stood to meet the servant and waited as he tried in vane to pass on his message and control his heavy breathing.

"My Lord, your father," the servant said through heavy breaths. "Your father…"

"Slow down. What about my father?" Legolas asked calmly.

"The King…"

"Just tell us and stop stalling," Gimli grumbled from the other side of the table.

"Your father attacked the servants, my Lord. He threw them out of Prince Rumil's rooms and demanded that no one disturb him," the servant told them after catching his breath.

"He attacked the servants?" Legolas asked, trying to understand what he was hearing and throwing a worried look at Aragorn at the same time.

"Yes, my Lord, and…"

"And what?" Legolas prompted rather impatiently when the servant hesitated.

"He looked…different, my Lord. Like he was sick," the servant informed him reluctantly. "Forgive me, sir. I could be wrong."

"No. Thank you for telling me. Is he still in Rumil's chambers?"

"Yes, my Lord," the servant said, bowing as Legolas strode past him with all the confidence of a prince.

"Would you like me to come with you?" Aragorn asked, standing from his seat, ready to go if Legolas desired it. He hated to think that Legolas would have to face his apparently irate father on his own and was prepared to do whatever his friend wanted.

"No, it's probably not a good idea. You know what he's like. It would probably only make things worse," Legolas said as he turned to face the man.

"Then let me send for Lord Elrond. If he's sick he'll need help," Aragorn said, feeling a little bit rejected at Legolas' last statement.

"No," Legolas shouted. "I told you I don't want to make him worse."

"But if the King is ill…" Aragorn began.

"He has just lost his son. How would you feel?" Legolas snapped. He turned abruptly and left, leaving the Hobbits and the remaining members just staring at the doors as they slammed closed.

"You should go after him," Pippin said quietly, looking up at a startled Aragorn.

"I should just leave him to see to the King. Thranduil and Legolas are one of a kind; they're as stubborn as each other."

"I don't think I've ever seen him like that," Gimli commented.

"Like he said, a lot has happened lately. I think he just needs time to sort through this," Gandalf said, finally joining in the conversation with his ancient wisdom. "I believe our friend is going to need it eventually, whether he wants to admit it or not."

"He loved Rumil more than he lets on sometimes. I know how close they were," Aragorn sighed almost to himself, although the rest of them were listening intently.

"I should go and find out what is happening. I don't think even Legolas can stand up to Thranduil when he's like this. If he is attacking servants he must be pretty angry," Gandalf said, walking towards the door.

"The King would never hurt his own son though, right?" Frodo shifted his gaze nervously from Aragorn to Gandalf.

"Thranduil has a…short temper, it does not take much to anger him," Aragorn mused slowly. There was no doubt that Thranduil loved his children more than life itself and would do anything to protect them but even so his temper sometimes got the better of him. He had never hurt his sons – or anyone else outside of battle – but there was no telling what he would do through the grief of his son's death. Aragorn stood and walked quickly out the door, following Gandalf, and leaving four Hobbits and a Dwarf sitting dumbly at the great dining table.

"I must go and find Elrond," Aragorn shouted back to them as he walked out the doors. The room was left in an uncomfortable silence after the man left.

"It just goes to show, even the Prince of Mirkwood is a crazy Elf," Gimli grumbled under his breath, earning him stern looks from Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin.

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Legolas slowly approached Rumil's room, a sense of dread coming over him for some reason, perhaps it was the thought of seeing his brother again or perhaps it was something more ominous. Two servants were sat outside the room with healers cleaning off their wounds and tending to their cuts and bruises, of which there seemed to be a fair few.

"What…? Did the King do this?" As soon as they heard Legolas' voice they all jumped to attention. "What happened? I got a message saying my father just attacked you," Legolas said, assessing at the servant's wounds, trying to think of reasons why his father would do something like this.

"Your Highness." One servant stepped forward. "We were merely coming to tend to your brother as the King had previously ordered but as soon as we went to touch the Prince the King started yelling and became quite irrational and aggressive with us." The servant sounded nervous, as though Legolas would do the same any second.

"What did he say exactly?" Legolas asked, looking towards the closed door.

"Forgive me, sir, but he said something about your mother being here," another servant said quietly.

"My mother? What did he say?" Legolas asked again, not satisfied with the vague answer.

"I don't really know, Your Highness, it didn't make too much sense."

"And then he hit you? For no reason whatsoever?" Legolas asked, trying to get things straight in his mind.

"Yes sir. He just attacked us. He hit us and then threw us out of the room, all the while shouting something incomprehensible about your mother and Prince Rumil."

"Alright, thank you. I will handle this now. One more thing: did you hit back?" Legolas asked, looking at them both evenly.

"My Lord, he is our king but he attacked us. We tried not to but…"

"It's alright. It's not your fault." Legolas placed a reassuring hand on the servant's shoulder.

"I tried to persuade King Thranduil to allow me to attend his wounds but he refused. After what happened I thought it best to leave him," one of the healers said apologetically.

"Good. Are they going to be alright?" Legolas asked, pointing to the two servants who were looking nervously at him like they had done something seriously wrong and were waiting for punishment.

"They will be fine, sir. Nothing a few stitches and a couple of hours rest won't fix," the healer smiled.

"Good. Take them to the healing halls and make sure they are well. I will speak with my father and try to find out what is going on. Send another healer but instruct them to wait outside until I send for them. I want the King calm before he comes into contact with any more of his staff. I really don't want more casualties today," Legolas instructed. The healers nodded and aided the servants to the healing halls then went to carry out the prince's instructions.

Legolas watched them leave then turned his attention to the door of his brother's room. He sighed heavily; he wasn't looking forward to facing his father based on what the servants had said the King was not in the best of moods. Gently he knocked on the door.

"Go away," Thranduil shouted harshly from inside.

"Ada, it's me, Legolas. Can I come in?" He didn't wait for a reply before opening the door.

What he saw in the room shocked him. Rumil was still lying on the bed and Thranduil was laid down next to him with his arms wrapped tightly around his son as if he was never going to let go. Legolas looked briefly around the room and saw that Rumil's personal belongings, which had previously been on the bedside tables, were lying on the bedroom floor. Some more delicate items were smashed while others were just recklessly discarded. The room itself was fairly dark with only a single candle burning. The shutters were tightly closed allowing no sunlight into the room. It was even more oppressive than last time Legolas had been inside.

"Ada, what happened?" Legolas asked, closing the door carefully behind him and stepping further into the room, being careful to avoid the objects scattered on the floor.

Thranduil closed his eyes and gripped Rumil's hand even tighter than before. "I said, go away," he warned dangerously.

"The servants outside said you attacked them. Is that true?" Legolas asked, wanting the truth from him father.

"No," Thranduil said firmly, his voice as angry as before.

"You're lying," Legolas stated, matching his father's tone.

"You would believe slaves over your own father and King?" Thranduil yelled as he abruptly let go of Rumil and jumped to his feet. He still held Rumil's hand though, not wanting to break contact with his dead son.

"Well, at least you're not shouting at me to go away," Legolas said, staring into his father's eyes.

Surprisingly, Thranduil laughed at this although it was not his usual musical laugh. He sounded angry, almost hysterical, as though he wasn't himself anymore. Legolas was both frightened and confused by this. "Ion nin, so much like your mother, it amazes me. But Rumil…" He looked down at his son and began gently stroking his hair. "Rumil was so much like me. My heir, my son." His voice drifted off; it was like he was talking to himself rather than to Legolas. "You would have made an excellent king if you had only been given the chance," Thranduil sighed to his deceased son, kissing his forehead softly.

"Ada," Legolas said, taking a step closer to his father, who was looking lovingly down at his dead son, whispering softly in Elvish. "Ada, please, you're scaring me," Legolas pleaded.

"No!" Thranduil shouted, taking a sudden step away from Rumil. "You're a liar! Constantly misleading me; making me believe things that aren't real." He shouted louder than Legolas had ever heard before. It was almost as if Thranduil had transformed into an angry being that Legolas didn't even recognise anymore. "I want Rumil to stay and they come with knives trying to take him away from me, trying to take my own son." Thranduil's voice softened at this last part and for the first time Legolas saw tears running down his face. "They will not take him away from me. Not again," Thranduil said softly, looking down at his dead child.

Thranduil's voice rose again when he next spoke though. He stepped forwards and held Rumil's hand tightly again. "They will not take him."

"Who, Ada? Who came with knives? Who would want to take Rumil away from you?" Legolas asked desperately. He wanted to understand what his father was thinking but he was beginning to doubt the king even knew what he was talking about.

"Are you blind? Can you not see? They will take him."

"Ada, please. You're tired and upset. Why don't you come to the healing halls with me? The healer's will make you feel better, I promise. Then we can sort this misunderstanding out," Legolas reasoned.

"No!" Thranduil roared. Never before had Legolas seen such an angry and crazed look in his father's icy eyes.

"Ada, tell me what is wrong, please," Legolas begged. "Did you attack those servants?" He was met with silence from the king. "Ada, why?"

"You know nothing. You're not like him, Legolas. You're not like Rumil. How could you ever expect to be as good as him?" Thranduil said sharply. He kissed Rumil's forehead lovingly again before striding over to a very confused Legolas. "What are you doing? You're just like them, wanting to take my son away from me."

"What? Ada, I don't want…"

"Quiet!" Thranduil ordered, hitting Legolas hard across the face.

"Ada," Legolas whimpered, turning back to bravely face his father. "I don't understand."

"You could never understand me!"

Thranduil raised his hand again and knocked Legolas to the floor with one easy blow. Legolas fell to the ground, surprised not only at the king's sudden action but also by his strength. Legolas wiped a small trail of blood from his lips and looked pitifully up at Thranduil who was now staring at his son in shock. There were fresh tears falling down his face and all the anger that had previously been there was replaced by regret and shock. He bent down and looked into bright blue eyes, which were glistening with tears.

"Legolas, I am so sorry. I don't know what…."

"Ada?" Legolas' voice was shaking. He was worried about what his father would do next.

"I don't know…I'm sorry."

"It's alright," he said as he put his hand to his face where Thranduil had just hit him. Just as Legolas was about to get up and help his father, Elrond burst into the room closely followed by Aragorn.

"Legolas, is everything alright?" Elrond asked urgently, reaching down to help Legolas up off the floor. The prince took his hand, accepting his help and dragged himself to his feet.

"It's alright. Everything's fine. I'm fine."

"What happened?"

"Nothing happened. It was just an accident," he replied, looking down at his father who was still sitting on the floor staring down at the stone flags.

"Thranduil?" Elrond asked, attracting the king's attention.

"I said everything is fine," Legolas snapped. "Take him to the healing halls and clean this place up," Legolas ordered one of the servants.

"No, I want to stay with my son. I want to stay with Rumil," Thranduil said, getting up surprisingly swiftly and walking over to Rumil.

"Rumil is dead," Legolas replied coldly before leaving and slamming the door closed behind him, leaving everyone in the room in complete shock. Thranduil was gripping Rumil's hand again, rocking back and forth and muttering something under his breath.

"Father, what's going on?" Aragorn asked Elrond, who was watching the king intently.

"I don't know, ion nin but I intend to find out." He took a step forward to the king. "Thranduil, you must let go of Rumil. You need to come to the healing halls with me." Elrond chose his words carefully, not wanting to upset the king again.

"I'm going to find Legolas," Aragorn told his father, striding from the room.

"Thranduil, why did you hurt Legolas? What did he do?"

"Go back to Rivendell, Elrond. My affairs are none of your concern. Mirkwood was just fine before you arrived," Thranduil snapped cruelly. "You come here and try to take my son away from me. Isn't that right, Rumil? Well, don't worry. I'll never let anyone hurt you ever again." The king was now ignoring Elrond completely and was focused only on his son.

"My Lord, if you wish to help your sons then you need to come with me. Come now. You don't want Rumil to wake up and see you like this, do you?"

"No, you are right, Elrond. I must be strong for Rumil," Thranduil nodded slowly.

"And for Legolas," Elrond prompted.

"And…Legolas." There was an unusually reluctant tone to Thranduil's voice that worried Elrond. "Yes, and Legolas."

"Come on. Let's get you out of here."

"Goodbye, Rumil." Thranduil kissed his son's forehead and slowly stood. However, before he could even take a single step forward his legs gave way beneath him and he fell forward. Luckily, Elrond was able to grab him before he hit the floor. He quickly shouted at one of the servants to help him and another to fetch Legolas.

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Meanwhile, Aragorn ran after Legolas. Straight to the gardens; his favourite place in Mirkwood, out amongst the trees and nature where a Wood-Elf was meant to be. He almost ran through the doors that led to the beautiful gardens, knowing that Legolas would be upset from his father's cruel insults and would seek comfort from the trees. He walked around the garden for a moment, keeping his eyes on the trees where he knew his friend would be hiding. The prince took comfort in the trees as all Wood Elves did. Legolas seemed to have a particularly strong bond with them though. Aragorn stood at one tree and looked up into the branches.

"I know you're up there. You can't hide from me, you know that," Aragorn called up at the almost invisible form hidden amongst the branches.

With a frustrated sigh, Legolas jumped from the trees and landed gracefully in front of Aragorn. For a moment neither spoke. Aragorn had taken to inspecting the large bruise that was beginning to form on the side of Legolas' otherwise flawless face.

"Are you alright?" Aragorn asked after a couple of minutes.

"I'm fine," Legolas replied shortly.

"Good. Did he hurt you anywhere else?" Legolas was about to show his anger regarding the question when he saw the deep concern on the man's face and in his grey eyes. He decided to keep quiet and shook his head to answer Aragorn's question.

"Honestly Estel, I'm fine," Legolas reassured.

"Do you know why he did it? Why your father attacked you?" Aragorn pressed cautiously, he had already seen Legolas' opinion on this subject but he couldn't avoid the question. He needed to know that his friend was really alright.

"He did not attack me, Aragorn, he merely lost his temper," Legolas snapped.

"I have seen your father lose his temper before. I have even been on the receiving end of his abuse but I know that he has never knocked you down like that before. You cannot tell me that that wasn't an attack," Aragorn said, his voice raising as he said it.

"I think I know my own father a little better than you know him, Estel. Anyway, he didn't hurt me. It is just a small bruise."

"A small bruise? He attacked you, Legolas. That is not normal, even for Thranduil," Aragorn shouted, trying to control his anger but failing miserably. "Something else is going on and I want to know what it is."

"There is nothing else going on, apart from what you have already seen."

"Then how do you explain your father?" Aragorn questioned.

"Explain my father? His son is dead. Do you not think that gives him the right to be just a little upset?" Legolas yelled.

"There is a difference between being upset and being violent."

"How dare you. Remember that just because you are friends with the Prince it does not give you the right to insult the King regardless of the circumstances," Legolas shouted.

"Legolas, I did not mean to insult your father or anger you. I am merely trying to help."

"Help? What can you possibly do?" he asked sarcastically.

"I don't know. I'm just…"

"Estel, he's dead. Rumil is dead. My brother…Estel." Legolas moved forwards and hugged his friend, burying his face in the man's tunic before finally allowing the tears for his brother to fall. "He's gone," Legolas said softly into Aragorn's tunic, his voice muffled by the material and his grief.

Aragorn pulled his upset friend close and held him tightly.

"It's alright," he reassured gently, rubbing a gentle hand up and down Legolas' back, hoping to offer at least some comfort.

"I am sorry," Legolas said, taking a deep breath to recover himself.

"You have nothing to be sorry for, mellon nin," Aragorn comforted. He felt Legolas gently nod his head against him and smiled.

Unnoticed by both of them, a servant from the palace was walking swiftly towards them. It was Aragorn who looked up first but he could sense the change in Legolas and he knew his friend heard the servant coming. Legolas gently pushed away from Aragorn and quickly regained his previously shattered composure.

"Your Highness, forgive me for interrupting you." The servant bowed to both of them. He noticed the angry look on Aragorn's face but he wasn't about to disobey Elrond's orders.

"What is it?" Legolas sighed tiredly.

"My Lord, it is your father. Lord Elrond has taken him to the healing halls. He told me to fetch you immediately," the servant said quickly.

"What is wrong with him?" Legolas asked urgently, his voice full of concern as he walked briskly towards the palace followed by the servant and Aragorn.

"I do not know, Your Highness. I was merely sent to deliver the message."

They quickly reached the healing rooms and Legolas all but ran through the doors and towards the bed where Elrond was treating his father. The King was lying completely still as Elrond checked his pulse. At Legolas' entrance, Elrond looked up from what he was doing and motioned for the prince to come closer.

"What is wrong?" Legolas asked quietly, not wanting to wake his apparently sleeping father.

"I don't honestly know. After you left I persuaded him to come here in the hope of calming him down but before we could go anywhere he collapsed. He has a fever but I can find no more obvious symptoms as of yet," Elrond whispered so as not to wake the King. "He regained consciousness a few minutes ago but he seemed disorientated, he didn't even know where he was. He became quite distressed so I thought it best to give him a light sleeping remedy, just to calm him." Legolas nodded slightly, keeping his gaze fixed on his brother.

"What could this be?" he asked, turning to Elrond.

"Like I said, there are no other symptoms, which is a good sign."

"You think it's grief, don't you? Grief for Rumil," Legolas interrupted.

"Not necessarily. He doesn't show any of the other classic symptoms of grief but as of yet I cannot rule anything out. It's a possibility."

"You're not telling me something," Legolas stated, looking deep into those chocolate brown eyes.

"We have to consider whatever killed your brother may also be affecting your father," Elrond said cautiously.

"You think he's going to die?"

"I didn't say that. It really is too early to tell. I really don't think we should be panicking just yet. This could just be a reaction to the shock of Rumil's death." Elrond placed a hand on Legolas' shoulder. "Do not worry. I will find out what this is and what happened to your brother soon enough but you have to understand that Thranduil must be my priority."

"Of course. Please do everything you can for him."

"You have my word," Elrond smiled.

"Hannon le," Legolas whispered.

"Now, I'm sure you want to be with your father for a while but you should let a healer take a look at that wound," Elrond suggested, pointing to the bruise on Legolas' face and the cut on his lip.

"No, it's nothing really. I'll be alright."

"Legolas, please. Why don't you allow Estel to treat you. You mustn't go before your people in this state. You need to reassure them not make them more concerned about their prince." Elrond knew that Legolas would have no problem letting Aragorn look at the wound. They had done it for each other plenty of times when one of them had received an injury on their travels.

"Very well. But after that I wish to be with my father."

"Well, that shouldn't be a problem. It may be a little while before he wakes up." Legolas nodded thoughtfully and took one last look at Thranduil before leaving with Aragorn. Elrond sighed as soon as they were gone. He had not been looking forward to that discussion with Legolas but it had to be done. He really didn't know what was wrong with Mirkwood's King. He had his suspicions though: it was the same thing that killed the Crown Prince. If he was right he currently had no way of helping Thranduil. Elrond decided that if Thranduil was being affected by the same thing as Rumil then the only way to help him was to find a cure and to do that he needed to take another look at Rumil's body.

He walked up to one of the more senior healers in Mirkwood and whispered to him, "Make sure the king is kept comfortable. I will return before Legolas. If there is any change come and find me at once." He quickly left the room for Rumil's chambers.

TBC….

Translations:

Ada - Dad

Mellon nin – My friend

Ion nin – My son

Hannon le – Thank you

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