Disclaimer: LOTR belongs to the creative genius of JRR Tolkien, not me.
My Friend, My Brother
Chapter 3. The King Is Found
Thranduil was also waiting for the storm to diminish, for he knew that Mithrandir would become concerned when he did not meet him as arranged. As he sat beneath the tree watching the storm rage around him, a sense of dread began to creep slowly upon him and he reached into the back of his mind and touched the quicksilver presence of his son, relieved to feel that he was safe. It seemed likely that he was merely sensing the Shadow that had been encroaching ever further into his realm, bringing a darkness that moved like a cloud across the face of the sun blocking the light of the power of the Elves. Too late he realised it was the approach of a band of Orcs that he felt, and he was quickly overpowered by the evil creatures. The one who appeared to be the leader laughed maliciously as a disgusting potion was forced down Thranduil's throat. His last thought as the blackness of unconsciousness overwhelmed him was that Legolas was far too young to be burdened with the Throne.
*****
Aragorn left Mithrandir to enjoy his pipe and joined Legolas at the front of the cave. In the short time they had spent together he had come to realise that the young prince had a soul that was as beautiful as his face was fair. He was also very sensitive, especially where Thranduil was concerned. Placing a sympathetic hand on his friend's shoulder he said reassuringly,
"Do not worry, Legolas, I am sure your father is safe."
"Thank you for your concern, Aragorn, I only hope you are not mistaken," the Elf said, his voice filled with despair. Aragorn could feel that he wished to be alone so he left him and rejoined the Istari.
"I do not like to see him so sad," he said as Legolas began to sing another melancholy song.
"It is to your credit that you care for your friend, but do not feel troubled, for as you well know, it is the nature of the Elves to feel everything deeply. " Aragorn had learned that lesson well living among the Elves at Rivendell. It seemed to him that the Wood Elves were somehow even more emotional and Legolas would sometimes change from joyful to melancholy in the space of a heartbeat.
********
Eventually the howling of the winds diminished, the driving rain eased to a light mist, and Legolas could even see a hint of the darkening night sky through the thinning grey storm clouds.
"The storm has passed but evening fast approaches," he said looking back to where Aragorn and Mithrandir sat, once again engrossed in conversation. "We must begin the search soon, for it is dangerous in these Woods at night."
"That is what we were just discussing," said Aragorn as he rose from the fire, moving to the cave mouth where Legolas was standing, peering into the twilight. "Whilst I do not have the ability to see well in the dark, I think that the skills we have between us should be used to full advantage." A look of understanding passed between them and Legolas turned to Mithrandir,
"Will you remain behind in case Father makes his way to the cave after all?" he asked.
"Certainly. I was about to suggest that myself." He did not add that he was also becoming concerned for the King's safety. They left him sitting comfortably in front of the small fire he had made before they arrived and made their way into the forest.
"Are you sure you have no idea where he is?" Aragorn asked as they stopped to decide on the best course of action. Legolas shook his head,
"The bond I spoke of is as a single thread of mithril, light as a feather but binding with a strength that cannot be easily broken. I can feel his presence, but all I can say for certain of his whereabouts is that he is somewhere nearby."
"Well, at least that is a start," said Aragorn as he wondered what the Elf's definition of 'nearby' was in terms of distance. By mutual consent, it was decided that Legolas should search from the trees, and in a blink of an eye he was gone. Aragorn used his considerable tracking skills to try and find some trace of the king's movements on the ground although he knew it would be an almost impossible task, for the rain had washed the forest floor clean. Twilight quickly turned into night, the cloud cover hiding the light of the stars, and Aragorn could no longer see well enough to search. Nor did he see or hear Legolas until the Elf jumped from the branch above, landing lightly at his side startling him into drawing his sword. Realising he was not under attack, he sheathed his weapon and listened to the Elf, who was obviously very alarmed about something,
"There is a band of Orcs further ahead travelling swiftly south, and making no attempt to disguise their presence. I do not think they sensed me for I drew back to a safe distance as soon as I saw them. They have captured my father, and possibly given him some kind of potion, for they are arguing over who should be forced to carry the unconscious Elf back to Dol Guldur and who will be given the greatest reward for capturing the King of Mirkwood." His eyes were aflame with anger at what he had heard and Aragorn saw a glimpse of the fierce warrior the Elf could become when provoked. "The Orcs will pass us by just beyond that stand of trees," he said pointing to indicate the direction. Aragorn guessed the plan Legolas had in mind and smiled slightly as he said,
"I think my new found tree-climbing skills may be of use on this occasion." Legolas favoured him with a look that warned he was in no mood for merriment, but he agreed that they should seek safety in the branches now that they could hear that the Orcs were almost upon them
They had barely settled in a position that hid them from the sight of those on the ground when a group of seven Orcs passed under the trees half carrying, half dragging the unfortunate Thranduil. Legolas, who could barely contain his rage at the way his father was being treated, had to be restrained from simply jumping onto the Orc leader. Aragorn had lost his balance whilst trying to prevent such a foolhardy act and he had been forced to grab the branch rather than fall into the midst of the Orcs himself. The leader stopped and looked around suspiciously, sensing an Elf was near and was almost convinced it was only his prisoner that he could feel, when the slight movement of the branch above caught his eye. The orc quickly fired an arrow into the tree, barely missing Aragorn.
With the amazing speed possessed by Elves, Legolas had nocked his bow and the leader now lay dead on the ground, with an arrow in his head. Before the others even realised what was happening, he had fired six more times in rapid succession with movement too quick for the mortal eye to see. His aim was accurate and the enemy was no more. Aragorn had known from the deadly look in the Elf's eyes that Legolas intended to leave no survivors and that he had such complete confidence in his own skills, that he also knew no harm would come to the prisoner. Legolas leapt to the ground and ran to his father's side and untied his bound hands. He lowered the still unconscious body carefully to the ground and Aragorn quickly joined him, concerned at the paleness of the elder Elf's skin and the fact that his eyes were closed.
"I have some learned some skills in the Elvish healing arts from Lord Elrond," he said, "let me examine him." Legolas moved aside and watched as Aragorn quickly assessed Thranduil's condition. "I think he has been given a sleeping draught of some kind, but whether it has poisoned him or not, I cannot say."
"Mithrandir will know what to do, for he is a wizard of sorts and has many different skills." Legolas said as he gently brushed away a leaf that had fallen on his father's face. Aragorn was not surprised, for he had felt that there was something mysterious about the old man.
"Are there any more Orcs about?" He asked rolling up his cloak and using it as a pillow for his patient while Legolas wrapped his own cloak tightly around his father to keep him warm.
"No." Legolas replied, certain that he could not feel the presence of the evil creatures anymore.
"Good, then one of us must go and bring Mithrandir here." Aragorn stated. "It would not be wise to move Thranduil, for doing so may spread the poison more quickly through his body."
"I will go, for I can run much more swiftly than you and I can see easily in the dark. I will return shortly," he said as he disappeared into the trees.
While he waited for Legolas to return, Aragorn selected some herbs from the pouch of medicines he always carried and made a small fire so that he could brew a tea that he somehow managed to get Thranduil to swallow. Aragorn hoped that his friend's father would live, for he knew the Elf would be devastated at such a loss. He had no real memory of Arathorn, his own father, and after spending time with Thranduil and his son he was beginning to realise what he was missing. Elrond had raised him as his own, and he loved him as a father, but in truth there was a world of difference between Man and Elf, and Aragorn wondered what it would have been like had he been brought up in the world of Men.
********
"Mithrandir! Mithrandir!" Legolas called as he ran towards the cave where the Istari was waiting. "We have found Father, but Aragorn thinks he has been poisoned by Orcs. Please come quickly!"
"Poisoned by Orcs, you say?' The Istari said as he hurriedly put out the fire and retrieved his staff from where it stood up against the wall. "That is grave news indeed. Come, we must hurry. Let us hope I am in time to cure him." Despite his appearance as an old man, Mithrandir had little trouble keeping up with Legolas as he hurried back to his father's side.
Aragorn looked relieved when they arrived and relinquished his place at Thranduil's side to Mithrandir. He told him of the brew he had given the Elf and Mithrandir nodded in approval. "Excellent. Now I suggest you two keep an eye out for Orcs, or any other creatures who might like to see the King of Mirkwood dead." He said as he examined the ailing Elf. Turning to Legolas, he answered the Elf's unspoken question. "Do not fear, Legolas, Thranduil will live."
Legolas and Aragorn moved to stand a short distance away, but well within range if they were needed to defend against attack.
"I have seen you shoot well on the practice range," Aragorn said as they stood watch, "but I did not realise just how skilled you are, that was an impressive display of archery."
"It was nothing I have not done many times before," Legolas replied with a shrug, "do not forget that although we may both be considered young adults to others of our respective Races, I have already lived for centuries longer than you."
"That is one of Elladan and Elrohir's favourite taunts," Aragorn said laughing.
Whatever Mithrandir had done seemed to be working for they heard Thranduil groan as he fought to regain consciousness. "Legolas! Where are you?" He called in a weak voice.
"I am here, Father." Legolas replied as he knelt beside his sire. "Can you see me?"
Thranduil managed to open his eyes and slowly focused them on his son's face. Legolas smiled through his tears of joy and although he was still very weak, Thranduil reached up to wipe them away.
"What happened?" He had a vague memory of sitting beneath a tree and of being savagely attacked by a number of Orcs. "Was I captured by those foul orc creatures?"
"Yes, but Aragorn and I rescued you. There will be time for detailed explanations later." Legolas replied. "It is not safe to remain here in the forest."
"Legolas is right," said Mithrandir. "As soon as you have recovered some strength I suggest we make haste back to your Halls." Thranduil nodded in agreement and soon fell into the waking dream state that Elves called sleep.