A/N: Thank you for the very kind words. As ever, I hope you like this new chapter and will take a moment to review.

Chapter Eight: Scorpio

"What in all the wide world could Varyar possible wish me to know? What could be so important as to go through all of this in order to have it be known?"

"I do not know, Father" Legolas sighed. "What if I've made a horrible mistake? What if his friendship with me has been nothing but a ploy in order to seek his own ends?"

Legolas gave his father a pleading look, "What can I do?"

"My son, you must do what you feel is right." Thranduil replied with all confidence.

Legolas stood quickly and began to pace, "But I thought what I did was right!" He confessed. "I thought of all those in these lands, who could I possibly trust more than Varyar. By the Gods, father, you may be in terrible danger with him in power. You may be assassinated and it would be all my fault!"

Thranduil rose to calm his son, "Legolas, relax. There may be more at work here than we are aware, but I do not believe that Varyar would seek to destroy me." Giving his son a small smirk, he continued, "Besides, you forget that I am not some untrained member of the court but a warrior in my own right who has fought in many battles. He will not find me an easy target. Be at peace, my son, I will be on my guard as I always have been. Being King demands that."

Legolas bowed his head in acceptance. "I must act."

"Yes, Legolas. I trust you will do the right thing."

Thranduil stood to leave, his son bowing to him slightly in both respect and love.

When Legolas was alone, he stood in front of the fireplace. The flames danced spreading a flickering light onto the walls. No Elf could ever tell what exactly fire is, throughout time the races have come to simply accept it and use it to bring warmth into their bodies and souls. It did bring comfort. In the night soft sweet voices echoed throughout the halls, signing to whatever power was listening to their strife and their need for help.

Legolas knew he needed to act. Act now.

Grabbing his bow, he tore from the chambers as the singing continued its eternal rhythm, as immortal as those who sung its tones.

Savinis put down the book he was reading when a harsh pounding began on his door.  As a high ranking member of the counsel, he was used to knocks late at night, but this visitor was far from ordinary.

"Prince Legolas?"

"May I come in?"

"Of course." He moved away from the door to allow Legolas to enter. The distressed look on his face startled the older Elf. The Prince may be young for an Elf, but far from emotional or panic ridden. He had fought in too many wars, seen too many die to let one thing get the better of him. Yet here he was in the dark of night with something that could not wait until the moon resigned its position in the sky.

"What is it, Your Majesty? What brings you here?"

"Please, Savinis," Legolas begged, "I would wish for no formalities now."

Nodding, "Okay, Legolas."

The Prince smiled back, "Thank you, my friend. For many years you have stood by my family, even longer than I can recount." Legolas gazed deeply into Savinis' eyes and whispered, "Stand by me now."

"What do you intend to do?"

"There is more going on with Varyar than one can possibly imagine. He plots something grave and I feel it involves my father and Arcon is aliened with him. He may even have influence over him."

"I thought Varyar was one we would not have to worry about. That is why I thought him a good choice."

"As did I." Legolas raised his eyes to meet the other's stare, "What can I do? I've asked this one question so much, but I need the answer and you're the only one who can give it to me."

"You can challenge him, Legolas. You may have given up your command, but you always forget yourself. You are the Prince of Eryn Lasgalen and that is a power that none can take away from you. You can challenge him with your royal title."

Legolas gave a look of shock, "Would I not seem to act like a petty commander who realized that they liked their position and is willing to use their birthright for their own personal gain?"

Savinis laughed, a deep and comforting laugh, "Come, Prince, you have never in your life used your title for anything. All that you have you have earned in your own right. You fought in the War of the Ring when no other would wish to go. You've survived battles that no other has seen and hopefully none shall see again. Your people have always come first, yet you would have them treat you constantly as an equal. Try as you might, Legolas, you are not equal. You need no royal title to do anything."

"I still do not understand."

"Under the banner of your lineage you could ask the army to follow you rather than Varyar and they would. You could ask them to do so under your own name with no formal request and they would still follow you."

The silence hung in the air.

"They would walk into the very fires of Mount Doom if you but asked them."

Legolas drew in a deep breath.

"How can I ask them to defect when I do not even yet know what is planned?" Legolas asked.

Rising from his chair, Savinis smiled gently, "You must trust your own instincts. Whatever you do, I will stand with you. Until the end I will stand with you."

Raising to embrace his lifelong friend and comrade, Legolas replied simply, "Thank you."

In the nearby, darkened woods, a lone figure snuck away into the night.