Okay, so I was editing this chapter and I decided that it worked better in two parts. But rather than risk your wrath (your death threats from chapter 16 still give me nightmares) I posted both parts. So you have a chapter and an epilogue. The responses to your reviews are at the end of this one, the question (which has become questions, plural) is at the end of the next one. Be sure you read it!

" Leaves of Glass "

Chapter 18 - A Hollow Victory

Thranduil stared at his reflection in the mirror. Dark eyes, red from tears, drifted over the fine robe, dusky blue silk trimmed with real silver. Over the sparkling rings on his fingers. Over the shoes that could be called nothing but delicate, tiny sapphire chips rimming the edges, glinting in the dying sunlight.

But these fine things he did not, could not, see. What he saw, as he looked into the clear surface that few in the world could ever hope to possess, were bright blue eyes that would never see again. Dark red lips that would never smile. Long blonde hair that he had braided for the first time as his youngest child had sat on his knee, begging for stories of the wars he had seen.

But he also saw tears. He saw a youthful face contorted in fear during the throes of a nightmare. He saw the dark blood that had been spilt by cruel hands. He saw the cold face that had replaced a shining light.

He saw his son in that mirror, staring back in his own reflection. His little leaf. Stolen. Broken. Shattered.

His eyes slid closed and he could hear the shallow breathing of the man, the demon, that was locked in his bathing room. He had taken the potion that would sever the link between him and those that would control him. So why did he still feel their taint? 'You will pay for this.' He promised the man. 'For every drop of blood my son lost at the hands of your people, both now and so many centuries ago, you will pay.'

"Adar?" He heard his eldest, nay his only, son say.

"Yes, ion nin?" He asked. His eyes opened and he turned to meet the tired eyes of the crown prince. (... , my son?")

"It is time, Adar."

Thranduil nodded and followed his son from the room.

**

"With any luck no more of Mirkwood's people will suffer the torment of slavery that Legolas endured." Elrohir sighed sadly as the three Silvan elves disappeared around a bend in the hall, leading the Arandant king with them.

"You are certain this poison will work, Estel?" Elladan asked again.

Strider thought of the wizened old man that was not so old, the murky eyes that saw so much. "Yes." He said, visions of the father he never knew swimming through his head. "I am certain."

Elrohir turned and made his way back into Thranduil's chambers. "Tell me, brother. Why does the king go so willingly when he knows he finds only death at the end?"

Elladan took a firm hold of Strider's arm and pulled him gently from the hall, following his twin. "He knows the depth of Thranduil's hatred for him. I promised him a swift execution when it was finished."

Elrohir came to a sudden stop, spinning around quickly to face his brother. "Thranduil, nor Lindelen or Avarilas agreed to such a deal."

Elladan stared out the window that led to the balcony, not meeting his brother's stare. "Ai. And because I am in their kingdom and not my own my promise holds no merit over their wishes. But the wretched creature does not know that."

The elf and the Ranger stared at their brother in shock as he walked out to the balcony.

**

The banquet hall was silent as Orin, king of the Arandant entered the room. He stared out at his most faithful of captains, a smile of victory spreading over his face. "My friends," He said, his voice soft, malicious. "We have won."

The nearly empty hall filled with so much noise of cheering and shouting that it took some time for Orin to regain control. "Feast your eyes on the future, where we reign as kings over all Middle-Earth!" He turned to the doors from which he had entered, his arms spreading wide. The Men cheered again as a line of elves, a line of slaves, began to walk through the doors, lead by the king of the elves.

Thranduil came to a stop at Orin's side, bowing deeply as the rest of the servers stopped beside each captain. The sight of the human's shaking hands, the smell of his sweat as he played a mockery of the victory he should have had, was all that stopped the elven king from running a knife through the Man's heart.

Orin turned back to his men, hands still spread wide. "Feast, my friends. Enjoy your victory."

In perfect sync the elven servers placed the silver trays in front of the Men, removing their covers to show the steaming decadence beneath.

"From the king's own kitchens." Orin said proudly, holding a gleaming wineglass, filled with thick red wine, for the men to see. He took a small sip, then shook his head and emptied the glass at Thranduil's feet. The dark red liquid splashed over the stones, spraying the hem of the king's robes with sweet droplets of red.

"I think I'd prefer a white wine." He said as he replaced the cup to the table with shaking fingers. The men all crowed in laughter them began to feast as Thranduil obeyed the 'command', his hand clenched white-knuckled around the bottle of white wine.

Thranduil, Lindelen, Avarilas, and the other elves that they had brought into their plan watched as the Men devoured the decadent meal. As they groaned in pleasure as venison in raspberry sauce slid down their throats. As the freshest fish was carefully chewed to savor every taste. As they raved to each other of the dishes on their plates, as they shared the bountiful earnings of a war not yet won. They did not see, or did not care, that their king did not eat with them.

Avarilas stared blankly at the wall across the way as the men ate their own deaths. His dark eyes saw things in the gray stones that no other could. He saw his days as a youth, training every day, whether rain or shine, for one soul purpose. He saw the day he had met his young charge, still a child while he was barely a man. He saw the first day that child had run from him. He saw the last.

He saw in that stone wall, as his king had seen in the mirror, all the days of laughter he had shared with a beautiful spirit, and all the days of pain that spirit had suffered. This death, a quick death of poison, was not nearly good enough for him. His hands ached to feel their bodies writhing in pain beneath his touch.

Movement at the hall entrance caught his eye and he turned his head from the visions in the stone. His eyes widened and his mouth fell open in silent words as the youngest prince of Mirkwood walked obediently through the open doors.

In the next moment he saw three things at once. He saw the face of his beloved prince crumble with sorrow as his eyes took in the image of his people, of his father and brother, serving the men who had enslaved him. He saw the eyes of his king widen in a flood of emotions as he saw his son, alive and whole, walk through the door. And he saw one small, shaking figure rise from the head of the table and rush towards the prince, madness in his eyes and a knife in his hands.

The only thing that crossed through the young guards mind as he leapt over the table and towards his prince, his charge, his friend, was that now he could make amends for all the times he had failed and the prince had suffered. Now he would fulfill his duty, the way he always should have.

Each step towards Legolas, towards the king with raised knife aimed for the prince's back, seemed an eternity. Men and elves alike dove from his path but not quickly enough; the very stones seemed to slip beneath his feet. And then his hands were on the prince's shoulders and he was pulling him around, turning so that their positions were changed. So that it was his back the knife entered. His heart the blade pierced.

**

Legolas caught the crumpled body of his dearest friend and sunk to the ground. He heard Lindelen shout; saw his brother pull the human king away from them in the corner of his eye. He heard the hysterical laughter of the ruined man as he was drug from the room and the sound of the elves drawing weapons from their robes as the captains stood around them.

His head bent over the body in his arms and silent tears slid down his face, dripping onto his friend's pale skin, filling the crack of his smiling lips.

To Be continued (for the last time *sob*)...

What? *looks at all the glaring reviewers* Hey, at least it wasn't Legolas okay! Now go! There's still one more to read! Go!

To my wonderful reviewers whom I adore so much -

First, I'd like to say to all of you that you are by far the most amazing people on the planet. Such dedication each week. So many wonderful things that you say. Each of you makes me so happy. To wake up in the morning after I've posted and see all your wonderful reviews. It's one of the best feelings in the world. I cannot thank you enough. It's been quite a ride these past weeks, and you have all made it an absolutely joyful one. You are amazing!

Babymeeko - They're still workin' on it!

Vicki Turner - *claps* You did it! I'm so proud!

Amarie - You're very welcome! Thanks for reviewing!

MelanyeBaggins - Of course they had the other ingredients. Strider got them from Torlin before he left. Duh! *grins*

Jopru - Yes, yes. I know. I'm evil. Bad cliffies. I've heard it all before. And yet, the cliffies are still there! :)

azla - Well so that he could control him, silly.

Estel Elven Enchantress - Of course Legolas is going to live. Why don't you people get this?! Do you see an AU warning? Huh? No. Therefore, that means Legolas is going to live for at least 60 more years so that he can go on The Quest! Goodness but you people don't pay attention. *grins* And you may proceed for your dramatic climax and you vote.

tmelange - Right.

Cosmic Castaway - I must say, you reviews have been very... frightening. *hides behind Aragorn* They have been greatly appreciated though.

Luaren Jankowski - Thank you very much for your review. And stick around. I'm sure I'll do your hurt/comfort of choice eventually. :)

Silvertongue - Thank you!

EruvandeGreenleaf - Thank you very much!

cherryfearie - Wow. You were very giggly. Lol. Just kidding. It was cute. And yes, Legolas is free now.

Magicgirl810 - Thanks!

Gwyn - I would never be THAT mean! Goodnight, what do you take me for, a sadist?

LalaithoftheBruinen - Well, I do rather like our president. But to each his own. And the sequel thing is up to you! Go read and see what I mean.

Kept-Secret - Hmm. I've seen a lot of people be happy about elf torture, but never quite so... blatant about it. lol. And yeah, I was excited to get my flame. I've read all these other stories where the author's were complaining about flames, and I felt left out. lol. *hands you a cookie*

Ruby Foxburr of Loamsdown - Yes, yes they do.

Elven Kitten - Never!

Ella-elbereth7 - I totally agree. I've read many a story where I was just... finish it! I'm glad you don't think mine is one of them. And you understood chapter 16 just fine as far as I'm concerned.

Lilli - You're welcome. And no. lol. BIG no, I have not written anything professionally. Thanks for the encouragement to do so though. That's a big compliment. And yes, I have written one other story. It is the predecessor to this one and it is called 'Memories of Ilithien'. You can find it at my profile.

Lady Aqawondel - Technicalities. Yes, Legolas should be knocked out. But I didn't want him to be, so you hush. And I sorta made it end in two chapters. Is that better?

tay - Well, that depends on what you mean by alright. :)

Templa Otmena - Mellon nin, I would like to thank you for being so wonderful and sticking out with me through the whole darned thing. You reviews are truly wonderful. I always look forward to them. *hands you a band aide* Sorry about that. *grins*

Viresse0 - lol. You review was very entertaining. I was laughing so hard I almost fell out of my chair. It was ridiculous. Oh and, I hope you feel better. Yeah. :P

Ashley - You review was wonderful. I always love the long ones the best. I'm glad you enjoyed both of my stories so much. And *starts talking in creepy hypnotized voice* Angst is good. Don't be ashamed. Join us. *coughs* Yes. Good. And as for the website, IU tried to e-mail it too you, but I got this message that said user unknown. I don't know what that was all about, but I'm going to try to get it to work here. - - I hope it works this time. If not, I'll try your e-mail again. And, yay! *hands you a cookie* You were my 400 review! Thanks so much!

WakingDream - *glares* Yes I realize that I use a lot of comas (well, now I do thanks to the stupid flamer) but there are just places where you need to pause and you won't unless I put a coma. *stops glaring* Okay, on to the rest of you review. Goodness! Yes, technically Legolas should have been unconscious as well, but I didn't want him to be. So you hush. And yes, Orin gave the elves the poison, but it wasn't specifically linked to him. It was more of a all encompassing link. They're connected to all of the Arandant. I would have explained that, but I didn't know where to put it without sounding stupid. And once again, yes. Strider believed that Legolas was dead because he's young and emotional and been through a whole heck of a lot in the past few weeks. And yes. Elves my be immortal, but they still have bodily functions. *gasp* Who have thunk it! *takes a deep breath* Last thing. I'm gonna send you an e-mail concerning you betaing for me. So look for that sometime tomorrow afternoon. My time.

MG87 - Yes, yes I did. And it made a lovely s'more too. And sorry. Powers didn't work this time. But it's here now so it's okay. And mellon nin, I just want to thank you for sticking it out for yet another one with me. You are fabulous darling. Absolutely fabulous!

Sparrow Greenleaf - Ummm... *licks fingers and puts out candle like Aragorn from FotR* Ha!

lolly pop3 - Thank you!