*Authors note* Hey guys! I graduated from High School! (No she didn't, she just thinks she did. ;) )YAY! You know what that means? It means I have oodles and oodles of time to work on this story! YAY! That means I can get chapters done and uploaded faster than what I have been doing! (Yah, if you were uploading it!   Just kidding, I love you anyway, Mommy (She's not my real mom, it's an insie joke that I hope to work out a story about).  Rebecca (BlueberryPancakes) is uploading for her… who's the favorite one now? Hah!  Anyway, back to her comments…) YAY! Aren't you all so happy? PIXIE STIX FOR ALL!!!!!!!!!

-Squijim.

Chapter 10: The Downsides of Royalty.

Legolas stood on the steps of the palace, watching silently as Aireromen left with a host of elves back to Lothlorien. He watched until the figures faded from his sight and glanced upward at the sky, he noticed a small flock of black birds circling overhead.

His blue eyes narrowed and in the back of his mind dark visions formed, he glared uneasily at the birds and stood ridged. Creban…. What were they doing this far north? Dark birds were a sign, he wasn't sure as to what, but something defiantly was not well in the lands of Middle-earth if they were about.

He turned slowly and cast another untrusting glance at the birds before going up the steps and back into the palace. His father should know of this strange sighting, perhaps he would know what was going on, although it had been long since any news had come from Rivendell of tidings good or bad. Perhaps it was nothing, but still, his heart told him to seek out his father.

Legolas searched the halls, looking for King Thranduil; he stepped into the library to find not his father, but the twins.

The golden haired twin, Malnier turned and smiled upon seeing his friend. 'Mae govannen Legolas!' (Well met Legolas!) Malnier's voice boomed in the quiet library, he walked towards the prince, his arms outstretched for a friendly embrace.

Falnier was stretched out on the floor, lying on his stomach reading a book; he gazed up and smiled as well.

Malnier embraced Legolas and pat him hard on the back, pulling away. He chuckled a little, gazing into the prince's face. 'Lle tyava quel?' (Do you feel well?) His eyebrows furrowed a bit in concern.

Legolas shook his head. 'I feel fine melonamin,' (My friend) 'I am just looking for my father, I need to talk to him.'

Malnier said nothing for a moment; he stood studying Legolas's face. 'Mani marte? Naa rashwe?' (What happened? Is there trouble?)

'Amin n'sinta, amin merna quen yassen amin atari' (I don't know, I wish to speak with my father.) 'Manke naa ro?' (Where is he?) Legolas replied.

Malnier looked at him sternly, 'What did you see?'

Legolas gazed into Malnier's eyes and quietly whispered, 'Creban'

Malnier's face changed rapidly, it now beheld a look of shock. 'Creban? Lle lakwenien?' (Are you joking?) 

' No, why would I joke about that?' Legolas jested.

'This is bad….. to see Creban in Mirkwood is not a good sign.' Malnier shook his head.

' Well, they were not really in Mirkwood; they were flying over, high in the sky…. I am not sure as to where they were going.' Legolas said softly.

Falnier had heard the whispers of his brother and Legolas, letting curiosity get the best of him, he ambled over to see what the secrecy was all about. 'What are you two whispering for? Planing some secret plot to assassinate someone….because if you are I want in on it!' Falnier laughed.

'This is not the time for your jokes Falnier,' Malnier snapped at his brother. 'Legolas needs to find the king.'

'Why? What is going on that has you both so concerned?' Falnier drew closer.

Malnier glanced at Legolas, who nodded, then he turned to his brother and whispered. 'Legolas has spotted Creban outside.'

Falnier lost his playful expression. 'Creban? In Mirkwood? Why?'

'I do not know' Said Legolas softly, 'That is why I must find my father and speak to him.'

'He is in the training garden below, sword fighting.' Falnier said. 'He should still be there, go and tell him. No need to waste your breath on us.'

Legolas nodded, 'Namaarie' (Farewell) He took off out of the library at a swift run and nearly fell down the steps trying to reach the lower garden.

Thranduil moved his sword smoothly and elegantly to and fro, the dull wisp it made was soothing. Sweat was beaded on his brow and chest. He had been practicing for a few hours.

'Father!'

Thranduil's concentration was broken; he paused and cocked his head, listening behind him.

'Father!' Legolas came running down the steps, panting.

'Slow down, my son. You're likely to break a leg or arm running on the stairs that way.' Thranduil said casually. His back to his son.

'Father I need to speak to you!' Legolas breathed heavily. He was bent over resting his hands on his knees.

Thranduil turned, 'Catch your breath first, then speak to me.'

'But Father-' Legolas began to protest.

'Catch your breath first!' Thranduil said sternly. 'You'll make more sense that way…..I can hardly understand you between the gulps of air you're inhaling.' He walked over to a bench and sheathed his sword. He padded his face and bare chest with a towel, wiping away the sweat.

'Are you alright now?' He asked, eyeing his son as he slipped on a golden tunic.

Legolas nodded and stood up straight, coming closer to his father. 'Yes, I'm fine.'

Thranduil nodded and sat down next to his sword. 'Now, what is it that you need to tell me?' His golden hair shone in a ray of light that broke through the trees. Legolas looked just like his father; only the face was not as care worn and the eyes not as calm and relaxed from age and experience as his father's were.

'Father, just outside the palace I beheld a flock of Creban, flying overhead.' Legolas said softly.

Thranduil gazed up quickly at his son. 'Creban you say? Are you sure?'

Legolas nodded urgently. 'Yes, I am positive. My eyes would not deceive me.'

Thranduil laughed a little. 'Yes, your vision is keen. Keener than mine, I think. Do you know how many there were?'

Legolas shrugged. 'At least 30.'

'To what direction were they heading?' Thranduil stood slowly.

'I do not know, they seemed to be going every which way, scanning, searching it seems, for something or someone.' Legolas's gaze followed his father as he paced around his son.

'This is not well, not well at all. I must write to Lord Elrond and Lord Celeborn. They must know of this.' Thranduil stopped pacing, he stood, his face turned southward, his eyes misted over, lost in thought. ' I fear the worst.' He muttered. 'Could he come back?'

Legolas's face twisted in confusion. 'Worst of what? Who's coming back?'

Thranduil's body jerked upon hearing his son's voice. 'That is not important for you to know at this time. It may very well be that you will know more eventually.'

'Father what are you talking about? Tell me.' Legolas urged.

'I will say nothing at this time. I must speak with Elrond first.' Thranduil's voice trailed off.

Legolas let out a frustraighted sigh. 'Why is it that when ever something goes amiss it is you, and Lord Elrond, and Lord Celeborn who must deal with it alone?'

Thranduil placed a hand on his son's shoulder. 'Because, Legolas. That is the downside of royalty. Not only do you have great power, but you have an even greater responsibility to all those whom you represent and rule over.'

'I must know!' Legolas demanded.

Thranduil sighed. 'I will tell you this much, there is a darkness growing in the South. I have been in secret contact with Elrond for many months now, and he has told me much. But I cannot tell all to you now. There is evil again in Middle-earth, my son, and my heart tells me that somehow, you will be caught in the middle of it all before this is over.' Thranduil mumbled to himself, 'You, and many others may be caught in the middle.'