Don't Kill the Messengers

"Your father's going to get me thrown in the dungeons for life!" Rowan lamented mournfully. He and the twin sons of Elrond were on their way to King Thranduil's halls. The Fellowship had departed from Rivendell four days ago.

"It is only fitting after what you and Legolas did to us." Elladan muttered darkly. Rowan opened his mouth to protest but the older twin quickly cut him off. "Don't tell me you had nothing to do with it. We both know better."

"Legolas still wasn't feeling well and there is no way he lifted us by himself." Elrohir added.

"I wasn't going to deny it." Rowan replied a hint of amusement in his voice. "It was your fault he was sick in the first place."

"Should have got you good and drunk." Elladan growled.

Rowan studied the older twin. "You're really sore about that."

"Yes."

"You were completely safe."

Elladan snorted.

"Legolas and I would never purposely put you two into any danger."

Elladan remained silent.

Rowan rolled his eyes a grin forming. "Any how, your father would kill us

otherwise."

Elrohir laughed. "Don't worry Rowan, he'll get over it."

"Legolas ruined a good shirt and tunic too." Elladan continued not really ready to let the matter drop.

Elrohir reached over to cuff his twin. "Enough 'Dan all Legolas did was bruise your pride."

Elladan smirked as he looked over at his twin. "I don't remember you being any happier when Glorfindel came to rescue us."

~*~*~*~

Thranduil closed his eyes breathing deeply as he concentrated on his movements. He was deep into the Macilsir, using his sword letting the blade ring through the air. He had been unsettled of late and couldn't fathom why. True the shadow had grown dark but his people had continued to keep it from the borders of his land.

Swing right. Thrust left. Spin.

An uneasy feeling had settled on him since his son's departure. Maybe he should have let someone else go tell Elrond about Gollum.

Duck. Thrust. Parry left.

Legolas. If he concentrated hard enough he could feel his son. The moonlight echoed around the chamber illuminating the elf king.

Swing up. Duck and roll. Parry. Parry.

His little leaf. He remembered when he first began to teach Legolas the Macilsir.

Spin. Thrust. Parry.

His son had been so impatient. He had wanted to be able to do it perfectly by the end of the day. Ai youth, so quick do they want to grow up.

Right parry. Thrust. Spin and slash.

His son was a fine warrior. His skill with a bow was unmatched. He was gifted with his twin knives becoming a deadly wind when he fought.

Thranduil stopped bring his sword down. Legolas. He headed to the balcony looking over the forest. His son. He knew these unsettling feelings revolved around his child but what did they mean?

Remembering a favorite memory he set his sword aside. He held his hands up as if embracing the moonlight. Legolas.

~*~*~*~

'I'm sorry I didn't tell you Ada.'

Miles away a young elf looked up into the moonlight embracing the night himself as he put his twin knives away. He retrieved his gear from a nearby tree before following the wizard back to the fire.

~*~*~*~

It was midmorning when the three messengers entered the palace gates. Rowan took a deep breath to steady his nerves as they entered the courtyard. No matter what Elrond assured this was not going to go well. He noticed, with a faint amount of glee, that Elladan and Elrohir were not anxious to dismount either. Why couldn't he have been allowed to stay in Rivendell? He couldn't mourn his fate much longer as Amryil appeared to greet them.

The tall blonde haired seneschal looked over them raising an eyebrow. "Mae Govenne sons of Elrond. Rowan where's Prince Legolas? His father is most anxious for his return."

Rowan looked at the twins. Elladan stepped forward clearing his throat a little. The elder twin gave a small polite bow. "Mae Govannen, My brother and I have brought a message from Elrond of Rivendell to be delivered to King Thranduil."

Amryil looked between the three a moment. Whatever he saw on their faces must have given him a clue. His face darkened a moment. "This isn't going to be good."

At the seneschal's whispered comment the twins looked at each other uneasily.

"Come then," Amryil said motioning them to follow. "King Thranduil is in his study."

Elladan, Elrohir, and Rowan hurried after Amryil as he quickly led them through the palace. In what was to short of time they arrived in front of a set of carved doors. Amryil knocked and at Thranduil's command they entered.



~*~*~*~

Ihunaew brushed her auburn hair back from her forehead as she glanced into the oven. The bread was coming along fine. It had been a much quieter house since the Fellowship had departed from Rivendell nearly four days ago. The amount of food she had to prepare had decreased rapidly with only one hobbit in the house. Deciding that she would need some fresh butter and cream she made her way to the cellar.

She was rather surprised to see a large dark bottle resting near the other jars on the cupboard. What was a wine jar doing among the preservatives? She did not remember seeing it there before.

She brushed the dust and webbing of the dark glass in curiosity. A deep red liquid moved inside. She sniffed inquisitively and made out the rich aroma of a dark wine. It was a pleasant smell. The bottle was cool to the touch but would need to be chilled more before serving. Maybe Lord Elrond would like to try it later this week.

She took the bottle and gathered up the other few supplies she needed before heading back to the kitchen.

~*~*~*~

"Ah, good you've returned." Thranduil replied as he stood up to greet the messengers. "Elladan, Elrohir it's good to have you in these halls again. Where is Legolas? Is he in his rooms?"

The twins shared a look as a knot of tension settled between them. Elladan finally stepped forward nervously. "My Lord," he said formally. "Legolas volunteered for a mission of great importance."

"The One Ring has been found my Lord." Elrohir continued. "Legolas is one of a group of nine set out from Rivendell in a journey to destroy it."

Silence settled heavily in the room. Thranduil stared at Elrond's sons expressionlessly. The three young elves hardly dared to breath.

Thranduil's eyes hardened angrily. "This joke ill becomes you sons of Elrond and Rowan I am ashamed of you."

"But it is the truth my Lord!"

Thranduil annunciated each word as he spoke. "Where. Is. My. Son?"

"He is on his way to Mordor!" Elladan snapped angrily.

Elrohir put a calming hand on his brother's shoulder before pulling out two scrolls from his tunic. "King Thranduil, there is a message from my father explaining the situation and one Legolas bade us to deliver."

Thranduil took the messages opening Elrond's first. It could not be true. Elrond would not have sent his son to Mordor. This was some ill-conceived joke they had decided to play on him.

Thranduil read the letter twice before looking up into identical faces. The young elves squirmed uncomfortably under his gaze. He tried to remain calm and took a deep breath. "Let me see if I understand this correctly-"

"LORD ELROND SENT MY SON WHERE!?!"

The Wood King's voice resonated throughout the palace and into the forest sending several elflings for cover.

~*~*~*~

"Just where did you two learn to do that anyhow?"

Rowan watched curiously as Elladan worked at the lock on the dungeon door. The three of them had been sent there after Thranduil had read Lord Elrond's message. The King's anger was great and after two days of captivity the twins had decided enough was enough.

Elrohir shrugged. "Ada."

Rowan raised a dark brow. "Your father taught you to pick locks?"

"Yes." Elladan replied with a grunt. "By the Valar! This lock doesn't want to cooperate!"

Rowan watched in fascination. He didn't want to face the King's wrath again but he didn't really want to stay in here either. The confined area was starting to get to him. "You can't get it?"

"'Ro give me your barrette." Elladan commanded.

Elrohir complied unsnapping the pin from his dark hair before handing it to his brother. "Do you want me to give it a try?"

"No I almost have it."

"Have you thought about what we're going to do once we get out of here?" Rowan asked.

"Head home as fast as our horse's can carry us." Elrohir muttered. "I can't believe Ada did this to us."

Elladan gave a crow of triumph. "I got it let's go."

To Rowan's amazement the door to the cell swung open easily. He quickly followed the twins out into the corridor.

"Which way Rowan?" Elladan asked.

"That way." Rowan pointed. "The other way just leads deeper into the dungeons."

The three young elves quickly made their way out following a staircase. They turned a corner only to find Thranduil.