Hello mellyn, first I want to apologize for staying away much longer than the 2 weeks that I promised. It was never my intention but sadly writing cannot be my life. I am posting this chapter to both apologize for how late this is and to deliver a bit more bad news. No, I am not abandoning this story. However, it will be one more month yet before steady updates will resume. I am in the midst of preparing to move halfway around the world in August so I am waiting to post more until I have moved.

I hope you all understand and will forgive my tardy update. This story will continue and I will see you all on September 4th.

In Times of Trouble

Scribbles-on-Parchment

July 31, 2021

Chapter 9 – Reconciliation and Realizations

Thranduil folded his arms over his chest, his icy stare never leaving Tamír. The Silvan elf looked back, his brown eyes showing no fear as he walked over to stand before the king. Tamír's normally gentle gaze showed no intimidation and instead spoke only of defiance.

The Sindarin king raised a delicate eyebrow as he noticed this. It was rare that someone would display such an attitude towards him and he was not sure what to make of it. He had expected Tamír to show at least some outward sign that he was troubled at being called to speak with him, but this was not the case.

"Hîr nín," Tamír's voice was calm and cool, "What is it that you would like to speak with me about? Have I done something to offend you?"

The light cocky smile that now began to grace the ellon's lips as he said this was the same one that Thranduil remembered Tamír giving when they were elflings creating trouble throughout the castle. How much had changed since then, and very little of it for the better. But Thranduil forced these memories from his mind,

"I have something that I require your assistance for."

Now it was Tamír's turn to raise his eyebrows, "What for? I did not think you had any trust left in me."

"I do not; yet be that as it may you are still the only one whom I know of that would understand anything that can be done to help my youngest son. Legolas is in need of more assistance than I or any here know how to give him. You were there when I was afflicted with this so many long years ago, and therefore you will know best what to do to bring him out of this darkness that has hidden his mind and soul from me."

Thranduil watched the Silvan's face closely as he said this, noting the flicker of surprise that passed over his former commander's features.

"I thought that you still had no feelings of friendship towards me. What has changed your mind so quickly? Why do you now allow me to tend to Legolas?"

"Because there is nothing I can do," the Sindarin king narrowed his eyes in annoyance, "I need your help."

"And this I shall give, but only to Legolas. However, I can sense that there is something that you need from me as well."

There was a long silence as both eldar stood facing one another arms crossed over their chests until at last Thranduil relaxed his arms. He let out a deep sigh before lowering his gaze to the floor.

"I never could hide anything from you and it seems that at least this has not changed," the great king turned his back to Tamír as he said this and faced Legolas's bed, "But I will not speak of this now for first you must help my son."

Behind Thranduil, Tamír's eyes grew wide with surprise at the elven king's words. He had never thought the stubborn Sinda would have ever come to him for help and guidance again. Yet he had come to him and this made Tamír's heart hurt once again for the friendship that had been lost between them. Perhaps this was the beginning of reconciliation and forgiveness on both of their parts.

"I shall help you mellon nín, but only if you tell me something?"

Thranduil turned to look at Tamír again, "And what is that?"

"I want you to tell me everything that brings anger and worry to your heart and that causes you to lock yourself away from everyone, from your people and your sons."

Thranduil seemed to consider this for a moment before nodding his head slowly. He then turned away and walked over to his youngest son's bedside not noticing the soft smile that had begun to spread over Tamír's face.

Kélion stormed through the halls of the castle, anger flooding his veins in a way he had never experienced before. He was usually able to remain calm and be the voice of reason in every situation but not this time. The stress of Legolas, his adar, shouldering the responsibilities of the kingdom, and now this attack was wearing on his already burdened mind. Over the past several years he had felt a growing feeling of frustration in his heart and it seemed as through now it had become too big for him to keep buried any longer. Anyone who got in this way today would face the consequences.

"Kélion!"

Meldir's voice called to him from somewhere behind him further down the passageway, but the crown prince did not heed it. He did not wish to listen to the calm voice of reason that his friend seemed to always be ready to give. For ever since his talk that day with the dark elf so many years ago he had been finding it harder and harder to trust the Silvan commander he considered his best friend. It was times like these where he found the words filtering into his thoughts from the back of his mind. Try as he might he could never stop them. They would whisper to him that Meldir was indeed only his friend so he could take power should anything happen to the royal family, to him. And with Legolas now in a coma and his adar unwilling to care for the kingdom, Meldir would be closer than ever to achieving his goal.

"Mellon nín!" As his friend's harsh call sounded from behind him Kélion unconsciously tightened his hands into fists, "If you do not stop then I shall be forced to make you. Now listen to me for once in your life."

But the prince only increased his speed, shaking his head slightly to try and rid the nagging voices in his mind. These were dark thoughts and he did not even understand why he believed them. All he knew was that he did.

Kélion was jolted out of his revere as he was suddenly slammed into from behind. He gasped in surprise and stumbled to keep his balance as a very frustrated Meldir pushed him into the wall and pinned him there.

"What are you doing?" Kélion pushed back on his friend's arms that held his wrists pinned to the walls. A faint red tint beginning to color his pointed ears as anger and embarrassment began to rise in him,

"Let me go this instant! I do not know what you think you are doing, but I could have you detained by the guards for…"

"Be quiet, will you!" Meldir hissed, his brown eyes glittering in exasperation, "Even if you were to call the guards or anyone else for that matter I am their commander and therefore I think they would listen to me inasmuch as they would to you."

The Silvan commander felt the prince's struggles die down as a strange look briefly flashed over Kélion's face.

"I am just trying to force you to calm yourself Kélion before you storm into your brother's room where he lies in a coma and get into a heated argument with your adar. What would that do to Legolas should he awaken to that? And you have no proof that the Noldor had anything to do with this attack." Meldir slowly let go of the prince's arms before stepping away, "Valar Kélion, what has gotten into you lately? You are as bad as your adar now and Eru forbid that I will just stand by and watch that happen…"

Meldir's voice died away and his eyes widened as he saw Kélion reach for the sword that hung at his hip,

"What are you doing?"

But the only response that the Silvan eldar got was the crown prince drawing his razor-sharp blade and leveling it at his chest.

"Do not compare me to my adar commander. I am not like him and I will never be. Now step aside and let me pass before I have you arrested for treason," Kélion said, his eyes glittering in anger in a way that Meldir had never seen before, "Do not think for a second that I do not see your true intentions. I have been aware of them for several years now. I warn you; one misstep and I will not hesitate to remove you from your position."

Meldir took a step back as the harsh words reached his ears, his face betraying the pain that had arisen in his heart. Never before had Kélion ever said such things to him. Never had he even imagined that his calm and cautious friend would ever speak such things to him. Something was not right.

"Who spoke to you, Kélion?" The Silvan commander's voice came out more frantic than expected, "I do not know what you heard but I can tell you on my honor that it is not true. What do you assume me to be doing that would lead you to seek my demotion? I thought that you trusted me? I thought that we were as close as brothers?"

Kélion did not respond but simply lowered his blade slowly before sheathing it, a look of intense sorrow filling his gaze as he at last began to realize what he had just done. Before Meldir could say anything else the Sindarin prince put a hand to his heart as though in pain Then he stumbled away up the hallway leaving his best friend standing alone and confused in the corridor.

Kélion rounded a bend in the hallway before he came to an abrupt halt. He put his hand on the closest wall to steady himself before pressing his forehead to the cool stone. What in the Valars' name had he just done? He had just spoken hash words Meldir; words that he never imagined would ever come from his mouth. He truly was turning into his adar.

The crown prince groaned as another stab of pain ripped through his chest. Why was he so stupid? Meldir was his closest friend and had been since he was young. Why was he now questioning his loyalty?

Meldir, he just seeks power. He only calls you his friend so that he can gain control of the throne… I myself can attest to what blame and anger can do to an elf.

The haunting words once again flooded his mind, still as clear as through they had just been whispered into his ear.

I myself can attest to what blame and anger can do to an elf.

Kélion felt a sick feeling begin to grow in his stomach as he realized now what the elf had meant. He had not been referring to Meldir, but to him.

In allowing these ideas that Rívorn had planted into his mind to fester and grow he had allowed it to take hold. His actions were the result of several long years of dark thoughts and growing suspicions about Meldir. Now it was too late.

The crown prince felt another jolt of pain shoot through his chest as he felt tears begin to slide unheeded down his face. He had just destroyed the trust between him and his closest friend. Meldir would never forgive him now, not when he learned of what he had done.

Kélion let himself slide down the wall until he was kneeling on the hard floor, his body shuddering in silent sobs. His mind was growing dark and soon his very súlë would too. For once such evil was planted and fed, the dark virus could not be stopped.

For the first time in his life, Kélion felt completely and utterly alone and powerless.

Deep within his dark slumber, Legolas suddenly felt a sharp jolt of pain run through his body even as a sense of desperation began to wash over him. Something was wrong. Something was happening – something important.

As the young prince opened his eyes he gasped to find himself surrounded in a dark fog that had begun to curl its black wisps around his body. It was bitterly cold and filled him with such a sense of despair that Legolas had to fight to draw breath.

He did not know where he was or what had happened to him. All he knew was that he needed to get out. From beyond his hazy world he could sense that something or someone was calling out desperately to him, but he did not know what the voice said or even how to reach it.

Legolas drew his legs to his chest trying to kick away the wisps of fog that clung to his leggings. Shivering, the elfling closed his eyes and tried to focus his mind and calm his spirit but all he could feel was the suppressing evil that pressed in on him from all sides.

Elvish Translations:

hîr nín – my lord

mellon nín – my friend

adar – father

súlë – spirit