A/N: Thank you for the reviews! In response for some of your thoughts, I do not believe I am creating an evil Thranduil, but an individual who is desperate to save his lands from the inevitable. He wants only what is best for his people and all the strain begins to tear him apart. In his heart, he is yet good. Now, on with the story!

Chapter Two

After hours of work, Elrond stitched up the wound on the poor elf's chest. He thought himself a skilled healer, but upon first inspection the Lord would have bet the great waterfall that death was waiting to stake its claim. However, elves were never ones to always act as expected and miraculously, the young one would more than likely live through his injury.

Leaving him alone to sleep off the sedating drugs that had been used, Elrond encountered his son in the hallway.

"I heard." Elladan spoke without any other greeting or question about his father's patient.

Sighing, Elrond knew this conversation could not be ignored. "Your brother has always been spontaneous."

"You did not tell me until now? For days you have been tending to that sick elf and never told me what my brother has done?"

"What would you have me do?" Elrond snapped at his son, "I gather together a group of elves to go now to Mirkwood. It takes time to prepare and in the meantime you, my son, would have ridden off alone and I would have both of you traveling there alone. We shall go and retrieve him. Your brother is a skilled warrior, as you are, and I'm sure right now he is resting in one of Thranduil's guest quarters. We shall go join him." He broke eye contact, sounding tired, "I've been meaning to visit the King of Mirkwood anyway to speak of recent events. I should have gone from the start to give my answer instead of hiding behind a message."

"What is all this about, father? What is it that Thranduil wanted?"

Elrond looked up and met his son's gaze.

******

"Father, you can not do this." Legolas said, "We already fight the orcs, must you also have us fighting each other?"

Thranduil shot an annoyed glance to his son, "What do you know about ruling? I will use any means necessary to achieve my ends. It is for you and this forest that I am willing to do so."

"You risk a great war, like the one that killed grandfather." Legolas whispered.

Closing the gap, the King shouted, "I know what killed my father, you needn't remind me! I was there." Turning back around, Thranduil headed for a table with a large decanter of wine resting on it.

"Must you turn towards the drink when things get intense?"

"It is the only luxury of life I have, my son. The Nordor will remain in the deepest caves until his father sees reason." Thranduil sighed, "I asked him for a few elves to help fight the darkness and he says he has none to spare. I ask for a spell to help at least protect my home and he says it is out of his power. Our lands were not blessed with a Ring of Power. We've had to fight with our bare hands. I will not have it, no more!" Thranduil exited the court, leaving Legolas alone with his thoughts.

"You are not alone, yet you feel the need to bear the entire world upon your shoulders." Legolas said to the empty room, "No one could endure that for even you are not almighty. You stand against a great force, father, I know the person I once knew lies within you somewhere."

******

The darkest of caves was an appropriate name for where Elrohir was put. Never in his vast imagination did he think that elves could even build such places, yet here he sat.

Hours had passed and he did not even hear the presence of any other elf, but he did hear the presence of many rats in the area. Clearly, he was the only one being held captive.

There was not much room in the stone cell to pace, yet Elrohir tried anyway.

One step, two steps turn and back, on and on for Valar only knows how long since there was no window to judge the passing of time. A couple torches on the walls held complete darkness at bay, but only barely.

Finally, a sound broke the silence, the large door to the cells opening. A figure appeared before him, carrying a tray of different foods. The darkness shadowed his features for he kept his face lowered.

"I didn't know what you liked." Came a hesitant sentence. "I took a little bit of everything, please let me know what you prefer for the future." He slid the tray through the gap in the bars for that exact purpose and Elrohir took it to prevent it from falling. The Elf turned to leave, but paused for one moment. What he said next startled the prisoner.

"My father does not mean this, it is the strain of holding his nation together with his two hands and all his will that has drove him to this. He will see reason."

Elrohir was too startled to respond, it was Legolas that had come to him. He was certain the Prince had no orders from his father to bring food to him. Legolas left in silence, for Elrohir was unsure of what to say. He turned his focused to the tray. There were a variety of fruits, cheeses and breads. Ironically, what the Prince had chosen had been some of his favorites.

******

Days passed and soon Elrond and his entourage were coming into the borders of the great forest. The Lord could not be certain, but he was certain he felt something pull at his heart. Some evil he could not quite place, but all he knew is that he would be greatly relieved to see his son and hold him in his arms once more.

"There will be a border guard." Elladan spoke.

Elrond was in agreement; "We will not get far into these woods without Thranduil becoming aware of our presence."

******

The only part of his day he could possibly look forward to were the visits from Legolas. Elrohir had taken an immediate liking to this Prince and knew that if it wasn't for him, he would more than likely be starving by now. Slowly, they had begun to have small conversations when Legolas would bring the tray of food. Weather, spider attacks and such were the main points of conversation. Anything more upsetting was tactfully avoided.

"It must be hard being an only child, Legolas." Elrohir speculated.

Legolas shrugged, "Only sometimes, I'm sure you and your twin must drive your father insane!"

Laughter pierced the darkness, "We can have fun sometimes."

Giggling in mischief, Legolas rose from the stool he had placed in front of Elrohir's cell.

"I must return before I am missed. My father can be quite demanding."

"Your father can be quite something, Legolas." Elrohir spat.

Legolas paused, "I do not agree with his tactics, but he is my father and Lord of these lands. He would do anything for his people. I honor him."

Elrohir was once again alone.

"He does not deserve your honor, let alone a son like you."

******

"So, Elrond is now coming this way."

"Aye, Lord. What would you like us to do?"

Thranduil smirked and rose from his throne. Legolas, always by his side when court was in session, looked on wondering to himself what his father had planned.

Turning, the Elven King had a scroll in his hand with the exact same red ribbon Elrond had used on his message.

"Bring him this. Perhaps then he will have some feeling for our plight."

Taking the paper, the Captain nodded, "As you command, my Liege."