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In Times of Trouble

Scribbles-on-Parchment

October 30, 2021

Chapter 13 – Giving up Hope

Tamír sighed as he came over to the bedside of the still young son of Thranduil. He could feel the eyes of the elven king watching him closely as if expecting him to hurt the elfling in some way. The Silvan closed his eyes for a brief moment in an attempt to focus his mind on what he knew he needed to do.

Throughout the many long years, he had spent in the peaceful valley shadowing Elrond in many of the Noldo's different tasks, he had learned many things. It was for this reason that he had a feeling he knew that Legolas needed – he just did not know if he had the strength to give it to him. Very few of the eldar left on Arda could wield their inner light in such a way as to bring about the healing of others and Tamír doubted that he was one of those select few. Nonetheless, he would do all he could for the young prince for none so young as this should ever be overcome with such darkness.

"What is the matter?" Thranduil's voice was sharp with sudden worry.

"Nothing is wrong as of yet hîr nín," the eldar opened his eyes and glanced over at the elven king to try and reassure the Sinda, "Be assured that if I find something the matter, I will tell you at once."

Tamír returned his gaze to Legolas's still body before setting to work. He placed a hand on the elfling's forehead, whilst the other grabbed one of the prince's slender wrists. The coolness of the pale skin worried him greatly, though it was not entirely unexpected. If Legolas was under the attack of some dark force, then… The ellon forced these thoughts from his mind. He would not dwell on them now. Instead, he continued with his evaluation of the elfling.

"So, tell me hîr nín, why have you chosen to lock yourself away from not only your fellow eldar, but now your own people and family? What has led to this path of self-destruction that you now seem to have set your feet on?"

Tamír continued his work in silence as he waited to see if the elven king would provide him with any kind of answer.

"And what makes you think I am on any such path?" Thranduil's voice was much calmer than the Silvan had been expecting it to be.

"I speak only of what I see, my king. You keep yourself locked away in your rooms and do not come out save for food or wine. You have given your responsibilities to your son and during the time I have been here, I have yet to hear you speak a single good word of your sons. Tell me, are you ashamed of them in some way?"

"You know nothing," the low voice of the Sinda was cold as if in warning, "Things have changed since first you walked these halls."

"So they have, yet I struggle to see what - in the passing of long years - has caused your heart to grow cold."

There was another long silence as Tamír readjusted the thick blankets around Legolas once more.

"Can you heal him?"

"You did not answer my question," the Silvan elf turned back to the elf lord, "I seem to remember we had a deal."

Thranduil's icy gaze bored into Tamír as if in a silent challenge, but the Silvan elf did not back down. They stood like this for only a moment more before Tamír lowered his gaze in defeat. He could not make the stubborn Sinda give away the secrets he was guarding in his heart whilst Legolas still lay in such a state.

"I have but one thing more I can try. If this does not work…"

The Silvan left the rest of his statement unsaid as he turned back once more to the bed. The elf moved to be by the young prince's head before placing his hands gently on either side of Legolas's face. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath to try and focus on what Elrond had said he did when performing tasks such as this. Tamír allowed his mind to clear before he suddenly poured his strength into his inner light, causing the light around his body to flair brighter.

At once the eldar began to channel the power he felt flowing through him into the elfling that lay before him. However, he instantly felt a force block the flow of power and attack the slight connection he had managed to make. The fore was powerful and felt tainted with evil as if it had once come from a thing of light that had fallen into darkness.

This evil attacked Tamír's power with such ferocity that the elf felt the connection waver dangerously. But unwilling to accept defeat so readily, the Silvan furrowed his brow and pushed back. A second later he felt himself being forced out of Legolas's mind, his power feeling as though it had been sucked from him.

Tamír stumbled back from the bed as if thrown back. He collapsed into a nearby chair as his legs gave out from under him. What in Eru's name had happened?

"What is it?"

Thranduil's voice cut through the fog that had surrounded Tamír's mind. The eldar shook his head as his eyesight cleared once more and he found himself staring into the worried face of the elven king.

"I do not know. Yet, it is powerful – and it is dangerous."

"What did you do to him?"

"Nothing to harm him, of that I can assure you," Tamír struggled to sit up fully in the chair as he felt some of his own strength returning, "I tried only to access his mind and give him some of my power to help him fight the evil that holds him captive."

The elven king did not look comforted at this. Instead, a wrinkle of deep worry appeared on his brow as he asked,

"Tell me mellon, has my son fallen into shadow? Has he fallen beyond…"

"No," Tamír's eyes flashed, "Do not give up hope so readily. I may not have the power to save your son, but I know of someone who does. Elrond can give him what I cannot. He can save Legolas."

The Silvan knew his words would not be received with any kindness, but he knew that he spoke the truth. And as he had expected, Thranduil's face instantly grew dark.

"I would not take my son to that Noldo for all of the gems in Arda. If you cannot save him then I am afraid that no one can. The sooner we come to accept that the better."

"You would let him die? Do you not know that you are condemning him to?" Tamír's voice was rising along with his anger and desperation, "He will fade, Thranduil! He will fall into darkness and then he will be lost to you forever. Is that what you want?"

"I will not take him to that kinslayer, if that is what you are asking of me."

"I am not asking you to do anything but think about Legolas. I would do anything for my son, would you not do the same?"

Thranduil's eyes exhibited such a rage that Tamír shuddered at the sight. What had happened to his friend?

"You have shown what you would do for your family Tamír. You have shown them that in the face of death you would leave them to die whilst you yourself flee like a coward only to return when they have all but forgotten you. I may not be the perfect adar, but I know that in the face of defeat I would at least not abandon them. I will not be taking Legolas anywhere near that accursed valley."

With that the elven king turned and strode out of the room, slamming the door shut behind him with such force that it caused the room to ring with the sound.

Thranduil stormed down the hallway, his face betraying no emotion save for the cold fire that burned in his eyes. He would never take Legolas to that traitor even if that blasted Noldo could save him. No, he would find a way to bring his son back and he would make sure he never lost his youngest-ever again. The elfling was more precious to him than he could ever show, and he would not rest until Legolas was well once more.

The elven king strode down the deserted corridor back towards his private rooms, but as he rounded the last corner he was forced to come to a sudden stop. His oldest son, Kélion was standing in the middle of the hallway staring at something. Thranduil cursed under his breath as he quickly regained his composer after almost running into his son.

"What are you doing?" his voice came out louder than he had expected, but the other Sinda did not seem to heed his words.

A wrinkle began to form in Thranduil's brow. He turned his gaze in the direction that Kélion was looking and saw nothing but a shadowed corner. The king's concern grew instantly. He turned back to his son.

"What are you doing?" he demanded again, "What is it that has caught your attention so that you would stand here in the middle of the hall like a witless dwarf?"

He crossed his arms over his chest in anticipation of the protests that Kélion would throw his way, but none came. The prince did not move.

A hundred horrid thoughts instantly appeared in Thranduil's mind. Had his son gone mad? Was he ill or wounded in some way? Or had he simply fallen asleep? The elven king ground his teeth in both irritation and fear as he reached out and shook Kélion none too gently.

This did the trick as Kélion seemed to immediately be drawn back into the world of the living.

"What are you doing?" Thranduil asked again upon seeing his son's dark blue eyes focus on his face, "Why are you standing in here staring at an empty wall? Have you gone insane?"

"I was merely lost in thought adar," The fatigue in Kélion's soft voice was not lost to the elven king, "I am sorry. I fear I am in need of rest. Please excuse me."

The prince began to pull away, but Thranduil only tightened his grip on the eldar's shoulder.

"Not until you tell me what is the matter."

"It is nothing of importance. I am merely anxious for Legolas. How is he? Is he still unresponsive?"

"Yes," the elven king said through clenched teeth, his conversation with Tamír once again filling his mind, "But there is nothing that can be done at the moment unless you wish to follow the counsel of a…," Thranduil cut off, "Never mind. It matters not. I will think of another way."

"What does Tamír want you to do?" Kélion's voice was sharp, "What has he said?"

"It does not matter as I shall not be allowing him to carry out his wishes."

Both of the tempers of the Sindar elves were quickly on the rise.

"Tell me."

"It does not matter. Legolas is my son and I know what is best for him."

"And he is my brother. Now, why will you not tell me?" Kélion's voice rang out in the silent corridor, "If there is a way to bring Legolas back to us then why would you not do it?"

"Because Tamír would have us take him to Imladris and I will risk his life to do so," Thranduil could hear footsteps running towards them but he did not care, "I will not allow that Noldo to lay one finger on him – not while I still have breath in my body."

"Then you will kill him," Kélion's voice rose again, "You will allow your past petty arguments with that eldar to bring about the death of Legolas? You are a coward, and you are selfish. You care for not but your…"

"You will not speak to your king in such a manner!" Thranduil's voice thundered around the small hallway, "No go before I do something I will regret."

Kélion opened his mouth to speak again but felt a hand grab his arm. He spun around, startled, to find Meldir behind him grabbing his arm tightly. The Silvan shook his head before he began to drag Kélion down the hall and away from his adar.

Elvish Translations:

hîr nín – my lord

mellon – friend

adar – father