Airëlus followed Thranduil into the study, a look of unmasked confusion on his face. He did not quite understand why they had left Legolas alone once more, for in his opinion, family and love was all that the young Prince needed. The King, however, clearly had other ideas. Though, he had not yet revealed them.

"I see that you are having difficulty comprehending what I just did," Thranduil said, sitting behind his desk and motioning for his son to also take a seat.

"Well, meaning no disrespect, but yes, I am," Airëlus replied. "Legolas has just spent a week alone and being tortured by one who should love him. He does not need us deserting him at this time."

Thranduil shook his head briefly. "Neither you nor I are deserting him."

"So why-

"We both know that Legolas was treated badly. But we do not know all that was done to him, we do not know all that was said to him," Thranduil replied gently. "As I have told you, Calaen adopted my voice. You know how good he is at impersonating others – he was always talented in that respect. But I digress. We do not know what he said and did to give the impression that I was the one…well, you know. But Legolas will not be ready to talk about such a thing straight away."

"But surely-

"I am sorry. Much as I despise doing it this way, we have to take things slowly," Thranduil cut in. "Do you understand?"

Airëlus sighed deeply and ran a hand through his fair hair. "Yes, I understand. But I hate to think of the pain that he is going through. I wish that our roles had been reversed, and I was the one that Calaen chose to torment."

"Legolas is a child," Thranduil sighed. "He was helpless and vulnerable. He proved to be easy prey."

"Calaen was a coward," Airëlus said shortly. He looked away as tears misted his eyes. "Ada, this is my fault. If I had not gone to Rivendell, then none of this would have happened."

Thranduil shook his head as he went to sit beside his son. "Do not blame yourself. You were not to know what Calaen was going to do. No-one was."

"I know, but I should not have left Legolas on his own," Airëlus replied, swiping at his eyes. "I should have told the guards that they were not to follow any orders given until you got back."

"Airëlus-

"I should have locked Legolas in his room and hidden the key," the Crown Prince went on, jumping to his feet and pacing up and down the room. "Even better, I should have locked him in prison. Maybe he would hate me for it, but at least Calaen would be unable to get to him."

"Airëlus-

"Why did I not take him with me to Rivendell? There are so many things that I could have done to protect him, but I did not. Now he is hurting and confused, and that is thanks to me. He feels as though he cannot trust us, and he-

Thranduil grabbed his son by the shoulders, and shook him. "Airëlus, stop that! It is bad enough that my youngest son will not speak to me and I have had to send my middle son away. You are the eldest, and the one that I rely on to keep me at least partially sane. I do not need this from you."

Airëlus stared at his father for a moment, before lowering his eyes. "I am sorry. But I cannot help blaming myself."

"Were you the one who tied and blindfolded Legolas?"

"No."

"Was it you who played sick mind games with him, leaving him emotionally damaged?" Thranduil asked.

"No, it was not."

"Was it you who beat him until he fell unconscious?" the Elven-king demanded.

"Ada, stop! Please!" the Prince cried.

Thranduil sighed, and touched a hand to his son's shoulder. "I need you, Airëlus, and so does Legolas. We must help him, and I fear that you will be unable to if you are plagued by such thoughts. I am sorry for what I said, but I need to get through to you that you are not to blame."

"I am sorry," Airëlus muttered. He paused, and his eyes narrowed slightly. "There is something that I do not understand. You said that Legolas was helpless. Why? Yes, he is a child, but he trains with veteran warriors every day. You know that. Why did he not fight?"

"He was tied up," Thranduil said darkly.

"But how did that come to be?" Airëlus pressed.

"I can answer none of your questions," the Elven-king said gently. "Only Legolas can do that."

"May I go and see him? I think it is time that his bandages are changed anyway, and he might be a little more willing to talk," Airëlus said.

"I doubt it, but you can try," Thranduil replied. "Do not press him too hard."

As the Crown Prince nodded and left the room, the Mirkwood ruler rested his head in his hands, and tangled them in his hair. He wanted to be the one to comfort his youngest child, and tell him that everything would be alright. But he could not help doubting that himself.

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