Chapter 3

A Captain of Mirkwood stood before Elrond. Having just appeared from the canopy like ghosts, his only words to the intruder were that he bore a message from his King. Elrond noticed that the King's message was the same in appearance as Elrond's was and the previous one did not contain good tidings.

Elrond cracked the seal and stripped the ribbon. Unrolling the paper he read the words. He read them once more to be sure that his elven sight was not failing him.

"Is this true?" Elrond asked, stunned.

"I am only to deliver this, I do not know the contents."

"Is my son being held captive by your king?" Elrond bellowed. Elladan froze with shock at his father's statement.

The Captain only turned and began to leave. "King Thranduil ordered for you to remain here and reconsider his earlier request. You cannot break through our defenses with your limited number and you know this, Sir. We will give you one day to reply." The Silvan elf was gone as quickly as he had come. Elrond was left alone with his people.

Elladan came rushing forward, "Is this true?"

"I fear it is." Elrond said in bewilderment, "If I know this King I would not put it past him. He has the best intentions of his people in mind, but sometimes the worse of things are done with all the best intentions. They are right, though, we would die trying an assault, but we cannot leave my son captive here."

"What can we do?" Elladan questioned.

******

"You really made Glorfindel, who defeated a Balrog, fall into a pond like an elfling?"

Elrohir laughed, "You should have seen his face. He felt utterly embarrassed to show his face in front of the students for a season afterwards!"

Legolas joined in the laughter. The Prince had a light and carefree laugh that seemed out of place in this land of darkness. A lot about this blond haired elf seemed out of place here. Despite the darkness, Legolas could still find joy in the life that remained. He would be a great addition to Imladris, Elrohir thought to himself.

"Have you ever thought of coming to my father's house? Our lands are beautiful."

"I have heard stories," Legolas responded, "I would love to see the beauty with my own eyes."

"When I get out," Elrohir said with certainty, "you should come with me. Get away from this darkness."

"This is my home." The other confessed, "I am born to it and to my father's reign."

Nothing Elrohir could say could change that fact.

"Perhaps I could leave for a time to visit with you in your home and under better circumstances."

Another voice, a harsh voice pierced the darkness, "Legolas, the King wishes a word with you."

"I must depart." Legolas said, quickly rising.

Elrohir went to sit on his cot, "I understand, I shall see you later," Elrohir added one more word, "Mellon."

The Prince paused at the word looked at the other elf behind the bars and smiled.

*****

Legolas entered his father's court. Once he had passed the threshold, the large stone doors closed behind him leaving Legolas and Thranduil alone.

Thranduil had an empty goblet in his hand and a look of disgust in his eye.

"I understand you have been visiting that Noldor spawn of my rival. Bringing him food. Why?"

Legolas spoke clearly, "All of this is not his fault. It is unfair to punish him."

Thranduil laughed coldly, "Do you know his father at this very minute is in our lands with some of his men? He is waiting for the moment to come to strike at me in any way they can."

"He is only wanting his child back, can you blame him?"

Going for more drink, Thranduil sighed.

Legolas hurt greatly from his father's behavior. "This is not helping you." Legolas said, gesturing to the wine.

"You are not helping me!" Thranduil retorted hitting Legolas across the jaw.

Both stood in shock.

Thranduil had never hit his son.

"Legolas, I," he stuttered.

The Prince backed away, shaking his head. "This evil, this fight, this war, what has it turned you into, father?"

"I do not know, my son. Forgive me, you deserve better than this. If only you had been born when the forest was still a place of light." The King could not make eye contact with his son so deep was his shame. "I do love you so much, Legolas. Never forget that. No matter what happens my love for you will remain."

******

The silence of the deep and darkness was pierced by the sounds of the doors opening and a person approaching. For one moment, Elrohir thought it Legolas, but instead was greeted by his father.

"I've come to apologize. My only wish is that it has not come to this." Thranduil said, his voice quiet and sincere, "I do not expect you to understand or to forgive. For so long have we fought against so much without hope of help. We are a proud people and I would not have us beg, but I have. I have begged for the lives of the elves of this forest. Yet, no help comes and the laments fill our nights."

Elrohir was shocked by this confession and found in his heart the slightest bit of empathy for the ruined King before him.

"I will do anything now, Son of Elrond, even hold you here if I must. Anything, child, I will do anything."

As quickly as the ruler had appeared he vanished into the night.

Elrohir knew that this was just beginning.

******

The court was alive with activity. It was not everyday that the great Lord of Imladris stood at the gates in fury.

"We must act, My Lord!"

"He will move against us and with him shall more Lothlorien. The mighty Lady and all her power will be knocking on our door shortly."

"Silence!" Thranduil cried, "I know what I am doing and I will see this matter brought to a settlement."

"At what cost?" Legolas asked coming around to face his father.

"By whatever means necessary."

Moments passed between father and son. Again, that same unknown light that had been growing in his father's eyes shone there now. Legolas never believed the good leader that was his father was yet lost, but the fear that the battle might soon be over began to creep up on him.

"I take my leave, father."

"Very well." Thranduil replied, "Shall I see you again soon?"

Legolas smiled slightly to his father's inquiry, "Before the moon is full again."

******

Wasting no time, Legolas went to his chambers. There sat his beloved bow and knives.

Soon, there would be no going back. It was clear that the son of Elrond could remain a prisoner no longer. Perhaps if he was released help might still be found in the hearts of the other elves of Middle Earth. There was only one who could free Elrohir, who had the authority to overcome any obstacles needed. Himself.

Once prepared, Legolas went to the dungeon where he quickly found Elrohir sitting on the cot napping in the stale air.

"My friend," Legolas whispered, "I will get you out of here. I promise." The Prince vowed. "I fear for my father and for my lands. This is my desperate measure to help my people."

Elrohir rose and smiled, "I waited for your return."