Thranduil was up the better half of the night trying to calm Alasse from her nightmares. She woke up a couple hours after Thorin left, screaming and shaking. Thranduil held her close, trying to comfort her. She cried and cried, clinging to him with white knuckles and crying for her mother. "Nana! Nana!" Alasse wailed.

"I'm here, Alasse." Thranduil told her.

"A-Ada?"

"Shh. Don't cry, darling. It was just a dream." He shushed her, holding her to his chest.

"Ada, don't let them take me away!" Alasse begged in terror.

"Sweetling, no one is going to take you away." Thranduil told her. Alasse clung to him harder.

"They said they were going to take me far away!" She blubbered. "And you wouldn't come back for me, and I'd never see you again...and that...and...and..."

"Shh. Alasse, look at me." Thranduil said firmly, cupping her tiny chin. She was trembling and shedding big tears. His heart broke seeing her so terrified, and his veins simmered in rage at the damage those fugitives had done to his little girl. "Look at me. No one is going to take you away. Do you hear me? It's alright." Alasse didn't answer. She just buried her face in his robe, sobbing. Fluffy whimpered and placed his large paw on her leg.

"Ada?" Legolas poked his head inside.

"Thranduil? What is it?" Elrond asked as he also came to the bed.

"Another nightmare." Thranduil sighed. Legolas sat down next to him, patting Fluffy's head. He reached out and brushed his sister's hair out of her face.

"Hey, it's okay, Alasse." He said softly. "I'm right here." Alasse peeked her head out from under her arm.

"Legolas?" She squeaked.

"That's right." Legolas smiled warmly. "Don't cry, muinthel. It's okay." He patted her back.

Elrond lit a candle so it wouldn't be so dark in the room. He remembered what they had told him about when they'd found Alasse and Thranduil, in the darkness. "Is that better, Alasse?" Elrond asked. Alasse nervously looked up. She went limp with relief when she saw that the room was no longer dark and she leaned on Thranduil's chest, trying to catch her breath and still weeping.

Thank you, Legolas mouthed to the elf lord. Elrond knelt down in front of Alasse.

"Alasse, what were you dreaming about, dear?" He asked, touching her arm.

"That Ada and me were captured again! It was awful and so scary." Alasse trembled. "It was dark. I was all alone. I kept calling for Ada, but he never came! I thought I was never going to see him again!"

"What happened to you, when they took you away from your father?" Elrond probed.

"Elrond! This is not the time!" Thranduil argued sharply. It was bad enough that his daughter was reliving those moments over and over through these bad dreams. He didn't want her under any additional distress.

"They...they...they..." Alasse rambled.

"Shh. Shhh. Slow down, little one. You need to breathe. Come on, now breathe. Just breathe." Elrond instructed her. Alasse hid her face from him but she began to obey as Legolas soothingly rubbed her back. "That's it." Elrond approved. "Good."

"Alasse, you don't have to talk about this if you don't want to." Thranduil glared.

"But...it might make you feel better." Legolas said encouragingly. "You're dreaming about some terrible memories, darling. If you tell us about them, maybe they'll go away." He smiled. Alasse looked at him thoughtfully, considering her options. She curled even tighter into Thranduil's long arms around her.

"Are you alright, dear?" Elrond asked kindly.

"They took me away from Ada." Alasse began. "They locked me in a dark room. I didn't like it! I wanted out. But they wouldn't let me out. That one really big elf, he was so scary! He knocked me down and he put his foot on me. I tried to get away from him but I couldn't move his big, mean boot off."

"What happened then?" Legolas asked, continuing to rub her back in gentle circles.

"That really mean one, with the dark hair," Alasse shuddered, "he was smiling. It such a scary smile." She clung tighter to Thranduil. "He told me that I'd never see Ada or Legolas again! He said I was going to have a new home, and someone would have me for a pet!"

"Ohh, dilthen muinthel..." Legolas grimaced. Thranduil scowled, fiercely strengthening his grip on her.

"And..and…he said that if I didn't behave for my new master, then he would punish me. 'Like this', he said. Then he kicked me, right here." Alasse moaned, pointing to her ribs.

"Did the others start kicking you too?" Elrond asked gravely.

"Y-yes." Alasse began crying again. "They said that Ada didn't love me and wanted Nana's necklace more than me! That mean elf told me that Ada thought the necklace was more important." Thranduil's breath hitched. He shifted her up higher and kissed her face hard then rested his chin on her head.

"Did...did they keep hurting you and saying those awful things?" Legolas asked hesitantly.

"Mmm-hmm!" Alasse whimpered, hiding her face.

"Alright." Elrond sighed, standing up. He reached down and patted her head. "Alasse, nothing is going to happen to you here. You're with your ada, and Legolas is here. Everything is going to be okay. And those really bad elves are going to be punished!"

"They will?"

"Yes, they will! Your father is going to punish them." Elrond said. Thranduil smiled darkly. "Thank you for telling us, sweetling. Now, do you think you will be able to go back to sleep?"

"I...don't know." Alasse gulped.

"How about a cup of tea?" Elrond suggested. Alasse nodded. Elrond walked away. Fluffy rose to his feet and placed his paws on Thranduil's lap. He arched his neck and began licking Alasse's wet face. She buried her fists in his fur.

"Thranduil, what is going on?" Gandalf asked, waltzing inside. "I heard crying and thought there might be some trouble."

"Alasse is having a hard night, Mithrandir." Thranduil muttered.

"Aah." Gandalf sighed sympathetically.

Legolas scooted closer to Alasse. "Would you like me to sleep with you?" He offered. He'd done it many times since she was a baby, and it usually helped her go back to sleep after a bad dream.

"Yes!" Alasse nodded sadly. She always felt better when Legolas was with her.

"Alright then, come here." Legolas smiled, taking her from Thranduil. Thranduil gladly let Legolas take up his bed. He certainly wouldn't be using it anymore tonight! Legolas climbed under the covers and slid onto his side next to his little sister as she lay on her back. Thranduil leaned over and tucked the blankets in around them. "Is that better?" Legolas asked.

"A little." Alasse hiccuped. Thranduil brushed away a few stray tears on her cheeks.

"Everything is okay, Alasse. Your brother is here. Fluffy's here, and I am right here. No one is going to take you away, okay?" Thranduil spoke quietly.

"Ada?" Alasse mewed sadly.

"Yes?"

"Do you love me?" Alasse cried. Thranduil's stoic manner dissipated. He looked down at her hurtfully.

"Of course I do, my love!" He said painfully. She always asked him that now every time she had a nightmare about being captured. It broke his heart so much.

"More than Nana's necklace?"

"Yes, darling." Alasse tightly curled her little fingers around his large hand. "It's all over now. Try to go to sleep." Thranduil said. Alasse wouldn't let go of his hand.

"Don't leave me, Ada." She pleaded, looking up at him with frightened eyes. "I'm afraid."

"I won't leave you." Thranduil said. "There's nothing to be afraid of."

"Here, Alasse. I have your tea." Elrond said as he entered. "This will make you feel much better."

"Will I have bad dreams again?" Alasse asked timidly.

"No, little one. No, you won't." Elrond smiled. Alasse quickly sat up and drank the warm tea. It immediately soothed her nerves. She handed the cup back to Elrond and lay back down, snuggling close to Legolas, with her toy from Bofur safely cradled in her fists. Fluffy climbed onto the bed and lay across her legs.

"Think you can go back to sleep now?" Thranduil asked.

"Yes. I love you, Ada." Alasse yawned, hugging his hand again. Legolas hummed quietly and within moments, she was asleep.

"I'll stay with her, Ada." Legolas said.

"Thank you, Legolas. You go to sleep too." Thranduil said, rising to his feet. Legolas kissed Alasse's face then stroked her hair. But he made no effort to go to sleep. He knew Elrond and Thranduil were going to have a serious talk, and he wanted to be in on it.

"I've heard enough." Thranduil hissed through clenched teeth. "Those bloody b-s are going to wish I had killed them!"

"Ada?" Legolas sat up, but remained beside his sister in case she woke up again. "Kidnapping is punishable by death."

"Don't tell me what I know, Legolas." Thranduil retorted.

"Just what do you intend to do with them, Thranduil?" Elrond asked, "After all, they kidnapped you and your daughter, intending to sell her into slavery! Not to mention they wanted to lure Legolas in to murder him too."

"But they attacked your captain." Thranduil reminded him.

"And they starved and beat Thorin's nephews, and future princes at that!" Legolas added.

"Legolas is right." Gandalf nodded.

"I think it's time to call a council." Elrond suggested. "The 'trial' shall be at dawn. I am going to gather Thorin, his counselors, Glorfindel, my sons, and Erestor." With a swish of his robes, he ventured into the hall.

"Legolas, I wish you to remain here. I will let you know what we decide." Thranduil said to his son.

"Yes, Ada." Legolas sighed. He wanted to be included in the conference so badly, but Alasse needed someone to be with her in case she woke up again.

"What was that all about, my friend?" Gandalf asked Thranduil in hushed tones as they walked side by side? "Why would Alasse ask you such a thing, about the necklace?"

Thranduil's dangerously furious face darkened considerably. "Just another one of those sons of an Orc's cruel mind games." He replied indignantly. "And apparently, it had just the effect they wanted, because she can't forget it!"


Fili was scrunched with his head under his pillow, clutching it desperately for relief. He moaned and tossed in the large bed, almost strangling himself with the sheets caught around his throat. Kili opened his eyes and sat up. "Fili, Fili!" He shook his brother. Fili threw off the pillow and turned on his back and gaped wide-eyed up at his younger brother. "Hey, you alright?" Kili asked with concern.

"I thought...I just thought..." Fili panted, shaking his head.

"You thought I was in trouble? I'm right here, Fi. I'm not going anywhere." Kili smiled. "Not without letting you know."

"Don't talk like that!" Fili scolded him. He hated the way Kili was making light of this, after the nightmare he'd just had.

"Hey, just calm down." Kili frowned. "I didn't mean anything by it. You know that." Fili rubbed his head. "You okay?"

"I...need some air." Fili shook his head as he slid off the bed and stepping over the other dwarves, made his way out.

"Kili? Is everything okay?" Bilbo asked, poking his head over the large bed.

"Bilbo, sorry. Did we wake you?" Kili groaned.

"Nah. Not really." Bilbo smiled, shrugging. "Is Fili alright?"

"I don't know. He had a nightmare again." Kili stared down at his lap. "I know it was about me. I only wanted to cheer him up. He didn't see it that way."

"Well, I'm sure he didn't mean it." Bilbo said encouragingly.


Fili wandered through the halls, forcing himself to breathe normally. His nightmare had been about their capture, except this time Kili had been killed before his eyes and Fili couldn't stop it from happening! He braced himself against the wall for support.

He heard singing. Low, gentle, sweet singing. But it was not in the common tongue, so he couldn't understand the words. But they sounded so beautiful, so peaceful. He followed the voice til he found an open door and peeked inside. Legolas sitting cross-legged in a large bed, leaning over a small figure curled up under the covers. Fili gazed in wonder. So, it was Prince Legolas who was singing! Fili had heard many tales of the voices and singing of elves, but to hear it in person...Legolas finished the verse and stroked Alasse's hair.

Fluffy's ears perked up. He lifted his head and wagged his tail at the sight of Fili. Legolas glanced toward the doorway. Fili tried to hide away. "What is it, Prince Fili?" Legolas asked. Fili poked his head in.

"Forgive me." He said earnestly. "I didn't mean to spy. I was up, I heard the singing, and I was wondering where it came from. I don't mean to intrude."

"I see." Legolas sighed.

"How is your sister?" Fili asked.

"She's had a rough night, but at least she' sleeping." Legolas hung his head, gazing down at her. "How is your brother?"

"He's fine." Fili puffed. "But I had to wake up to convince myself of that."

Legolas turned his head. "You were having trouble sleeping. Nightmares perhaps?" He suggested.

"Yeah." Fili nodded. "They're always the same. Kili and I are trapped by those kidnappers. But they murder him, right in front of me. There is nothing I can do!"

"I'm sorry." Legolas murmured. "I imagine those scenes in my mind a lot right now. I'm shocked I haven't dreamed about them! But at least that's not what happened!"

"I know. But it very well could have!" Fili gulped.

"Come. Sit." Legolas offered, pointing to a chair beside the bed. Fili climbed up into the tall chair and sat across from the elf.

"Kili is becoming more like his normal self all the time." He chuckled. "I'd be very worried if he wasn't! His appetite has certainly returned."

"That is good to know. Your brother is safe, Fili." Legolas said. "You took good care of him."

"Even then it wasn't enough." Fili muttered, hanging his head. "He still almost died! I couldn't even treat his illness properly."

"But he is well now. That is what you ought to be thinking of."

"Do not tell me that all the great what-if's haven't been running through your own head." Fili huffed.

"No, you are right." Legolas mumbled, looking down at Alasse and rubbing her arm. "Every moment, I wonder what could've been done differently. What if I had gone for that ride with them, instead of Glorfindel? They might not have been captured in the first place! What if they had done away with Ada anyway? What if I never found them? Sound familiar?"

"Ai." Fili agreed. "Your little sister was so sweet to us while we were trapped. She tried to comfort Kili while he was so sick, and even sang to him."

Legolas smiled. "She did, huh? I imagine my father was less than pleased about that!"

"Ai, he was!" Fili nodded. "But that didn't stop her. She kept showing us little displays and words of kindness. She was like an angel to us, a light in the midst of a dark."

"When I think of what they did to her and my father..." Legolas scowled. "How? Why? How could anyone be so cruel?"

"I don't even want to try to figure it out." Fili said. "It's too ugly a place to explore."

"Has your brother had bad dreams as well?"

"Surprisingly, no. He has been sleeping very well. Perhaps that is because he was unconscious half the time we were held against our will." Fili snickered.

"That's a mixed blessing." Legolas smiled.

"Mmm-hmm. If he doesn't remember the half of it, I am glad." Fili sighed. "It's not something I would ever want to repeat itself!"

"No, indeed." Legolas nodded. "Kili was the one who was ill, but you suffered just as much, if not more so, trying to protect him and wondering if he would survive."

"Yes." Fili swallowed. "I imagine you can understand what that feels like!"

"Yes, I can!" Legolas exclaimed. "When this first happened, all I wanted was to find my father and sister. Then when I did...I just wanted to see them safe, not in pain. Now we are here in Rivendell, a true haven for the weary, and Alasse is still suffering the aftermath of what happened! None of this ever should've happened!"

"No, it shouldn't have. Perhaps Uncle and your father can 'persuade' those b-s to see it that way." Fili grinned.

"Oh, that will be the least of Devlin's worries." Legolas gloated.

"I want to thank you, Your Highness, for what you did for Kili. Letting us borrow your soldier's horse so Kili could get help sooner, so he wouldn't die. I never gave a proper thank you. I am indebted to you." Fili bowed his head.

"Your brother needed immediate help. It is not as if anything else we had been doing was making a difference. And after all, Alasse tells me that you and your brother tried to defend her when she was threatened and Ada couldn't protect her himself. For that, I thank you.

'I know both our people have had some ugly disputes in the past, but...maybe there miscommunication on both sides. Misunderstandings. When it came to what mattered most, you certainly did not abandon your brother. And you reached out to protect someone you didn't even know, kin to the 'enemy', if you'll pardon the expression. You will make a great king in the future.'" Legolas said with a grin.

"I hope so! It is quite the responsibility. I truly hope that time will not be for a while. I do not kn ow if I am ready."

"Well, if what I have observed is any indication, you are well on your way to becoming more than ready." Legolas chuckled.

"Really..." Fili cocked his head.

"I think you should be present at the 'trial' tomorrow. Besides, you witnessed most of the havoc that went down in that hole, and you were a key witness to their treatment, for yourself and your brother, my father and Alasse. I believe our testimony will seal their fates with little room for doubt." Legolas suggested.

"If Uncle agrees, I will be there! You can count on that!" Fili declared angrily.

"As will I." Legolas nodded.

"Well, I think it would be best for me to get back to Kili. Sounds like we shall both need our rest!"

"Yes." Legolas agreed.

"I do apologize for eavesdropping and spying."

"It is alright. It seems like you needed someone to talk to."

"You too. Well, goodnight, Prince Legolas." Fili reached out to shake his hand. Legolas stared at it then shook it.

"Goodnight...Fili." Legolas nodded. "See you in the morning?"

"You bet!" Fili nodded eagerly as he hopped off the chair and headed back to his room.


When he reached his chambers, Fili saw Kili lying comfortably on the pillows. He climbed in next to him. Kili glanced at him. "I thought you were asleep! You shouldn't be awake, little brother." Fili scolded lightly.

"Neither should you." Kili grumbled.

"I had to sort out my thoughts. I am sorry I walked out on you. I should've been less vague about that." Fili shook his head.

"Well, is it all sorted out now?"

"Not entirely, but it will be." Fili smiled. "Go to sleep, Kili. You need rest."

"'Night, Fi."

"Goodnight, Kili."