A figure on horseback entered the kingdom of Gondor. Through the streets it rode, the horse at a slowed gallop. Past homes and storefronts it went, always working its' way towards the King's palace. Upon reaching the front entrance to the palace, the cloaked figure dismounted and was immediately stopped by one of the guards that stood there on watch. Words passed between the two, and the newcomer's horse was led away into the stables. The figure was led into the palace, the guard going before him, another immediately replacing him in his absence.
Once inside, the guard brought the newcomer to the Great Hall and announced his presence to Arwen, who sat upon her throne, speaking quietly with one of her attendants.
"My Lady, the Lord Thranduil of Mirkwood wishes to speak with you."
Arwen rose and came down from the dais that the thrones were placed on. "Thank you Reglond. You may return to your post."
"Very good My Lady." He bowed and then turned on his heel and exited the hall, leaving the two alone.
"Thranduil," Arwen cried out, and she hugged the elder elf in a quick, tight embrace.
"Arwen, it has been too long. But now I fear the joy of our meeting is cut short. I came to seek council and ask the help of your husband, but the guards tell me that he is abroad on some errand."
"Yes, that is true."
"An ill fate it seems."
He opened the pack that he carried with him and placed the contents on a small marble table. Arwen looked at all that was there. Legolas' bow, quiver, knives, and long swords were placed neatly upon his folded tunic of deep green, the matching gauntlets to one side and his boots were underneath. By the gauntlets she caught sight of folded pieces of parchment. Thranduil caught her glance and explained.
"I found this pack laying with one of my guards upon the lands of my estate. He was slain by an arrow. These notes…someone has captured my son. They demand that I meet them and surrender the rule of Mirkwood to them or else they will kill him. I came here, to Gondor, in hopes that Aragorn, with his most excellent ranger skills, could find him. I would gladly surrender myself to them to save Legolas, but for the great warning in my heart."
Arwen nodded her head. "Aragorn left two days ago to find him."
Quickly, she filled in the worried king, telling him all that Gimli had reported. When her tale was completed, she called for an attendant and had them make ready a room for Thranduil. Dismissing them, she turned back to the King of Mirkwood. He was sitting in silence; his eyes seemingly focused on something far away and yet nothing at the same time.
Finally, he spoke once again. "Two days ago. That very night was when I received this ransom demand. Perhaps it is best that I do meet with Legolas' captors."
"No," urged Arwen, "as with you, I sense great danger in this. I fear that you will be walking into a trap, My Lord."
"What else can I do, Arwen? I cannot abandon my son to torment and suffering. They will kill him if I do not meet them."
"And likely they will kill him even then. No, do not go to them. Give Aragorn some time."
"By then he could be dead!"
She could see the inner struggle the other elf was having. On the one hand, first and foremost, was his love for his son and the desire to save him if he could. But on the other, both elves sensed the danger of the meeting, should it happen.
"Let me see the letters," Arwen asked, and Thranduil handed them to her. She read them over several times. "The ransom demand seems fair enough. I do not see any suspicion in it, only the desire to obtain your kingdom. But this letter," she pointed to the one Legolas had written, "seems too forced. And that is where my suspicion lies. Here his captor had proof enough that they had him," she motioned to his weapons and garments, "and yet this letter also strives to prove their claim. Bring no others…face to face meeting…My Lord, I fear that you will only meet death if you go to them as demanded. And mostly likely Legolas too. Whoever this is wants Mirkwood; they will not kill its' king and leave it's prince to live."
Thranduil put and hand to his forehead and rubbed it in thought. "You speak well in this matter, Arwen. Perhaps you are right. But what else should I do?"
"For now, we must trust that Aragorn and Gimli will find him quickly and bring him safely back to Gondor. Here we must wait for their return."
"I cannot just sit around here waiting!"
Arwen put a comforting hand on Thranduil's shoulder. "I know that this is difficult for you. I feel no different, for Aragorn and I both love Legolas as family. But we must trust that all will be well. Legolas is strong, he will be alright."
"My son is in grave peril, I can feel it."
"Give Aragorn but three more days. If he returns without your son, or if he still does not return at all, then do as you see fit. That is all I will ask of you."
"Three days…how can I be sure that they will not have killed him be then?"
"My Lord, you are greatly grieved and are not yourself. Think about it this way. They will not kill him if there is a chance that you will come. His life is their bargaining chip."
Thranduil looked up at her suddenly, for he had let his head drop, feeling defeated and useless in the fight to save his child. But now there was a certain clarity to his gaze and he looked at her a moment before speaking. He smiled a bit to her, his pained face still anguished, but softened towards her.
"Arwen, you are as wise and astute as your father Elrond, my friend of old. Thank you, for all that you have done and said. Grief clouds my judgment and my wisdom."
"Come now, rest awhile in the chamber that I have ordered prepared for you. Tomorrow may bring new hope to us."
