A weary smile brightened Thranduil's features when he saw his sons ride safe through the gates. "Näurolas! Legolas! You are safe then," but the King's heart sank at the missing horse.

"Lagortâl was shot, father," Legolas bowed his head sadly. Lagortâl was not been his steed, but he was a beloved beast, indeed. "It seems the rumors I have heard are true, father. Orcs were on the borders of our forest," Legolas straightened his shoulders, and acted as regal as she could. Both Näurolas and Thranduil looked to the young elf and their eyes sparkled at his attempt.

"Araîel," Thranduil's regal gaze moved to his beloved daughter, and she looked at him in return. "Bring Legolas to his chambers. Be sure my son is unharmed. I must speak with Näurolas. He has missed much, if tidings have not passed through Imladris. Come, Näurolas!"

Thranduil turned on his heel, with his eldest son trailing behind him. Soon they were in the King's private quarters, and all was silent for a while. After a few moments, the King reached out and embraced Näurolas. "I have missed you, my son," he whispered, pulling back from the warm embrace and smiling.

"You seem weary, father," Näurolas' voice was troubled.

"Aye."

"Legolas does not know what orcs are?" Näurolas asked, raising an eyebrow. He wished to dive straight to the point. Although he would normally find his young ignorance quite amusing, he felt this was a serious matter.

"He does, but had never laid eyes upon one." Thranduil sighed. "It was my fondest wish that he never would. Alas! I can hold the gates with ease, but with this… shadow, it becomes more and more taxing to hold the borders. If your mother were still here…" Thranduil's voice grew soft, and he looked sadly towards his son, and Näurolas caught a strange flash of anger before it swiftly disappeared.

"So this shadow, as you call it, troubles even you?" Näurolas raised an eyebrow and eyed his father closely as yet another flash of anger troubled his gaze. This time the emotion caused a slight shudder to coarse through the King.

"Yes, of course it does! Why would it not!? I am the one who must protect my people!" Thranduil yelled. Näurolas frowned and locked eyes with his father. His gaze penetrated and probed the King for an answer to his sudden outburst. Something was definitely wrong! He could easily sense that the darkness both he and Legolas had hinted to was creeping through his father's mind. The air was thick with tension when Näurolas finally broke his probing stare and looked to the floor.

"How much does he know?" Näurolas asked, and he heard the king sigh.

"He knows tales and stories of Orcs, nothing more. Why?" Thranduil asked suspiciously.

"This is far from a merry welcome, father, though I admit freely that it was I who steered our speech thus. Ten years it has been since I've seen you, and already you have treated simple questions with disdain," Näurolas was clearly hurt and Thranduil softened his stance in defeat. "Lord Elrond has taught me much, and I have improved many skills. I do not think that before I left I would have been able to hold your gaze for so long, and read so much."

"What did you see?" Thranduil almost looked afraid.

"This shadow affects you as much as the forest. You look to me now as one who has learned that a coveted secret has been stolen from his mind. Father, do not look at me so! For I read no words from you, only a fear and darkness. This troubles me!" Näurolas could not find respectful words to say. For though Thranduil was beloved to him, he was also his King.

"It is something I can control, Näurolas. You are young, compared to me. I have seen many things and dealt with much grief. This shadow from the south is far less than some of the things I have known! If you fear for me, fear not. And if you suspect me, suspect not. It is a battle I shall easily win," Thranduil said, in defense of himself.

"You need not worry then, father," Näurolas placed a hand on his father's shoulder reassuringly. "I suspected nothing. But I fear still, for I have never seen you troubled so, and I will not see my father, or my king fall!"

Thranduil smiled and clasped the arm upon his shoulder. "Go now to your brother and sister. Araîel has missed you overmuch, I should think, and Legolas… to him you are perhaps more great and wise than I! Ten years I have dealt with him speaking of 'the greatness of Näurolas, heir to the throne, and my brother!'" Thranduil laughed at the furious change of color in Näurolas' cheeks, releasing his son from his gentle grip.

"Yes, I will go to them. Araîel has proved her strength in watching Legolas in my stead, and I shall gladly relieve her." Näurolas quipped, and father and son shared a merry laugh.

"There will come a day, indeed, when Legolas' gifts shall be used for things far greater than defending these woods. Näurolas," Thranduil looked upon his son carefully for a moment, "Teach him well of the tales of battle and darkness you learned from the Lord Elrond. For I feel in my heart he will someday have great need for the knowledge of the past!" and with that, Thranduil bid Näurolas leave him, and with many thoughts racing through his mind, he obeyed his father, walking the familiar steps towards Legolas' chambers.