Brothers In Arms Chapter 11
Author: Robin9
Disclaimer: I am not making any money from this at all, I do not intend to infringe on any rights.
Author's Note:
Hi Everyone!
Ok I sort of need help. I really need a Beta reader. If anyone would be interested please e-mail me. If it helps the story is written, it just takes me a while to correct it and do all that stuff.
Help?
Robin
********************************************
Laomir had not had a restful sleep. After her argument with Thranduil and his leaving, she had spent her time trying o control her simmering temper. Initially she had tried sowing but had pricked her finger so many times that she threw it against the chamber. Then she thought to study some books and herb lore, but she could not stop the words Thranduil had used running around her head. Finally she decided to go for a long hard ride. However even that had not gone well. She had actually slipped on a step and her horses' tail had slapped her in the face.
Now back from a long hard gallop she thought about everything. Giving her horse the reins she let him take the pace while she tried to figure out what to do. It was then she realised she had not left a message for Asfloth. She was forgetting her own son in all of this mess. She wondered at her depth of anger and fear over Legolas.
"I know not what to do anymore." She whispered to herself.
It was late in the evening when she approached the stables. She dismounted this time with all the grace of a she-elf and not a she-troll she mused. Entering the palace door she walked up towards the study Thranduil was in. She knew he was about to leave to go to Sorian's house and she knew she should say goodbye. She was on the verge of entering when her stubborn nature. The one that always got her into trouble told her that he needed to go to her not the other way around.
Inside the study Thranduil had shaken his head at his stubborn wife. With a quick decision he stood up walked out the door and called to Berol. He wished to leave immediately.
Laomir decided it was time to check on the little ones. She wondered what would happen now. Opening the door she looked in and a small smile graced her lips. Flat on the bed was Legolas. Beside him with his head on Legolas' ribs was Turian and at the other side was Asfloth. It seemed these elves were able to rest and relax while she made herself ill with worry over them. Looking at each one she decided Thranduil was probably correct. Legolas and Turian would rest well for a number of days to come. Looking one last time from the door. She whispered good night and closed it with a click.
************************************************
Thranduil rode his horse through the forest of his home He didn't really notice as they headed more and more west. His mind was back at the palace with his family. It had been with a heavy heart that Thranduil had left the previous evening. The argument with Laomir and the bitter words still haunted him. So much that the patrol had left the palace a day early. He tried to reassure himself that there was nothing he could do now, yet he felt torn. He knew within his heart and his soul that Legolas did not kill them with intent. Yet Thranduil knew he had to go to his brothers' home. He had not visited it since before that night. His brother Sorian had operated on an open home policy. Any stragglers were welcome to stay the night. He would provide them with food and directions. The reality was that elves were still looked at strangely and so not many broached near the home to realise what was there.
Sorian's home had been his uncles who had been lost on Mount Doom along with his brother the King. Sorian had always been the quieter of the two sons of Oropher, and he had thought about moving away from the palace for a long time. It seemed after Marienne's death Sorian felt he had no option.
The home they now approached was a large flet wound around a great oak tree. The main entrance hall came out in front and wound up along the trunk were the remainder of the rooms all on different levels. Florat, a warrior and captain of Mirkwood's guards approached. He began explaining what happened the morning they had found Sorian dead.
"My King, that morning, we were not greeted by anyone. This in itself was very unusual as every time previously either of the family would approach or a message would be left. We entered through the back hall. "
Only Thranduil, Florat and the King's bodyguard Deral walked the path around the remains of plants of flowers. Thranduil was saddened to see most withering. Going under an archway they entered the flet.
The home had not been changes from that day. Thranduil saw clay and glass jars broken and smashed. Pots were littered on the floor. The way to the main entrance and study was to go up a winding stairway to the upper balcony and landing, then down a different stairwell. As they climber they approached the landing. Here Florat stopped. "My King, we found your brother here."
Thranduil looked to the stop. There was a pool of dried blood. Thranduil knew how his brother had died. He had been stabbed and left to die. He looked to the spot for a few more moments and closed his eyes. Taking a deep breath he opened his eyes and looked to the captain.
"We split up from here, my King. We knew something had happened and the family may have all been killed. One group went outside to check the grounds. Another group searched the bedrooms and we went down the stairs to check the study." Florat motioned to the stairwell. Thranduil nodded and began his descent.
As they went down the stairs Thranduil saw the study door was open. He did not see the pool of dried blood directly under the balcony until pointed out by Florat.
"It was here we found your nephews my King. Noralis was lying on the ground his brother was lying beside him holding and cradling the body. Initially we thought both were dead but them Legolas moved."
Thranduil looked at Florat and tried to stop the quiver that was entering his voice. "What did he say?"
"Nothing, he just shook a lot. We tried to find out where Turian was but he wouldn't respond." Here the normally composed captain's turned away for a moment, his eyes closed in memory. "We tried to get him away from Noralis but he shook us away. He would let no one touch his brother."
Deral the King's personal bodyguard had been watching this exchange. He had not fully agreed with this mission but he guessed that Thranduil needed to find some answers to the questions that were flying around. He decided to ask the question he knew was most difficult for Thranduil to ask.
In a gruff voice he said, "Noralis had been killed by a dagger through the heart."
The captain now recovered looked in surprise at first to the King then to Deral before nodding. "Yes, instantaneous we surmised."
That at least gave some reassurance to Thranduil Deral decided nodding. Then he held eyes for a moment with Florat. He wondered what he was doing but he knew it had to be done. He just hoped it would turn out well. "Did you recognise the dagger as belonging to any of the elves in the house?"
It seemed to Deral after he said that, the dark Lord himself could have entered that room done a dance and no one would have noticed. The King's eyes were focused on Florat.
"I knew the blades that Sorian, Legolas and Noralis all practiced with. This was not one of them." Florat glared a little at Deral before tuning back to the King.
"A group of elves returned at this point to tell us that tracks had been found outside but there were so many it was hard to tell. One of the female elves began to press Legolas to get Turian and to find him."
Thranduil looked back at Deral for a moment and nodded his thanks. He looked around the room again before nodding to the captain to continue.
Florat walked over to the door under the balcony. "Legolas eventually left through this door and later he returned with Turian in his arms. We bundled them out to a horse straight away and sent them to the palace. In the meantime we prepared the bodies to leave."
Thranduil with his back against the wall nodded once at this information. He didn't say anything. Deral glared at Florat and motioned for him to go through the door he stood by. Florat looked back with a haughty sneer. Deral pointed to his own dagger and then the door once more. This time Florat left.
Deral leaned against the wall Thranduil was at.
"Thank you for asking that question." Came a quiet voice. Deral nodded in reply. He put his hand on Thranduil's shoulder.
"Thranduil, you could not have stopped this. I know that in my bones. Do not torture yourself over the past old friend. Look to the future."
Pain filled grey eyes locked with Deral's. "I should have been there for him. He was my brother. He died on the landing floor with none near him. I would like some time alone for now."
Deral made to protest before a pleading look from Thranduil stopped him.
"I will be outside checking the grounds."
Within moments the flet was empty.
Thranduil stood looking at the spot, the same spot he had seen in Legolas' dream. He had seen the elf raise the dagger before lowering down. What did this mean? Pushing off the wall with a groan he made to his brother's study. The flet was quiet. Thranduil wished for some noise to take from the sound of his own feet padding along the floor.
He entered his brother's study. So less formal than his own. On the wall were drawing done by the children. He spied horses, bows and dragons. Arrows and some bows were also on the wall. Rocks and stones were placed everywhere. The atmosphere was one of comfort. Thranduil sat at the desk a moment. He looked at the handwriting on the page in front of him. How could the person who wrote that be dead? It was written which means Sorian existed, but now Sorian is gone and he would never see any new writings like that ever again. Thranduil rose swiftly swallowing hard against a lump in his throat.
He stood taking breaths deep into his lungs. Leaning down to a bottom drawer in the desk by the window he pulled the drawer out before placing it gently on the floor. Then reaching in with his hand he pulled out the red journal. He looked at it lovingly caressing the outer cover. He did not have the strength yet to open the first page but it gave him a warm feeling to see it in his arms. He put it under his cloak. He replaced the drawer again smiling at the fact that his own journal was hidden in the same spot in his own study.
He paused looking again at the empty study. It got suddenly cold and Thranduil unconsciously pulled at his cloak. There was no life. They were all gone. Too quiet. He closed the door.
Going to the balcony he looked around before opening the door in front of him. If memory served correct these al were guest bedrooms. He took the winding staircase and opened the door to reveal a brightly lit chamber. An unmade bed was in the middle of the wall, covers thrown to the ground. Books stood against the wall and the chamber was immaculate. A learning bow was placed respectfully in the corner. The room was filled with plant life. When in bloom it would have made for a wondrous sight. Now the plants were dying. As with the study, Thranduil did not feel he could water the plants that belonged to Noralis. A small balcony looked out over the misty mountains in the distance. Nothing was disturbed. No papers left scattered. It was all very tidy. Thranduil left the chamber, but paused at the door and bowed to its previous owner.
Turian's room was easy to recognise. Only an elfling could find something so wondrous about mud and dirt, the room was nearly full of it. Rocks leaves, mud, dirt, clay, stones and flowers all littered this room. The same with the other rooms, the flowers that had bloomed were withered and brown, the little insect that Turian had been looking at, were no more. Thranduil realised all their lives had simply ended the night their father and brother had been killed. Turian's bedcovers again were flung off the bed. A book had been knocked to the floor in the process. Thranduil felt almost like he should not touch anything reached hesitantly out and picked it up. Nursery tales. Looking around the chamber he again passed over the threshold closing the door.
Sorian's room was small and tidy as it had always been. Even as children Sorian would always have been the tidier of the two. There had been many flowers and plants in bloom around the room. As the balcony had been closed and Thranduil felt he could not open it. On a small chest beside the made bed were some books. Without picking them up Thranduil read the covers: Nursery Tales and the history of the first age. A small jug contained water stood beside them.
Looking at the bedside dresser he saw a wooden box with herbs and flowers inside. He recognised them as healing and general herbs. They had been freshly picked that day. Now they were withered and brown. Thranduil stood in the chamber for an extra minute. He had not had as close a relationship with his brother lately as he had before. He guessed that was normal. Elves grew up, got new families and moved on. Thranduil had been busy, he knew he could have done more but he hadn't had the time. Now he would have given anything to simply have a little more time. Turning it was with a heavy heart he closed the door.
Legolas' room was at the top of the stairway. It was in all honesty a mess. He could not tell if the bed had been slept in. Clothes were thrown everywhere. He saw stones, leaves and plants. A bow and quiver stood against the dressing table. In it's scabbard he found a white handled knife. Thranduil looked around the mess with a small grin. No wonder this room was at the top. Sorian could not have abided the mess. Some books were in a pile on the dressing table. Thranduil saw the fall of Gondolin as one of the titles. Casting a final look around the messy chamber he crossed the threshold.
To get to the back entrance Thranduil ended up going through the tack chamber. He looked at the different types of saddles and bridles. He dared to reach out and touch one but his finger didn't quite make it. Once he made it outside he took a deep breath. Yet he heard nothing. Where normally he would have heard birds and the trees directly around the home there was no sounds. Thranduil looked curiously around but still heard nothing.
"I think they are in mourning."
Looking around he faced Deral. He nodded and turned back to his friend.
"It has been a long time since I remember a silence like this in the forest." Thranduil swallowed hard. "They must have been good friends to the forest."
His friend nodded but turned to Thranduil saying.
"Two still are."
Thranduil looked at Deral and saw something was troubling him. He was about to ask what it was the Florat approached. Deral mouthed later to Thranduil.
Turning to Florat Thranduil asked quietly "Did you find anything more?"
"Nay, more tracks have been made since. We did not discover anything new."
Looking around Thranduil realised something, "Where did you release the horses?"
The captain looked at Thranduil a little strangely. "My King, the horses are over there. We did not release them."
Looking over Thranduil saw his own horse and the others belonging to the patrol.
"Not those horses the horses in the stable."
Florat answered slowly "There were no horses in the stable, My, King."
Getting a glaring eye from Thranduil was not something any elf desired. Now Florat was getting a full on glare "Of course there were, there is a tack room with brushes and curry combs. There have always been horses here. Very good horses too. My own is from this breed."
The captain looked around. "When we got here, there were no horses. I never thought it important. Forgive me, my King. I never even realised..."
Thranduil shook his heard and began to walk away saying over his shoulder "Nothing to forgive. Let us leave now. This has been a hard day for all. I would wish to return to the palace as soon as we can."
Deral frowned as he heard what Florat had said. There were some things that were troubling him and when he made it back to the palace he decided he would find a way to get answers.
With that order to leave the elves gathered the horses. Thranduil took a final look at the now empty home before turning his horse back to the palace.
*********************************************
Arriving back to the palace Thranduil got off his horse with little energy to spare. While the trip had not been long he felt utterly drained. The journal was still placed inside his cloak. He had not wanted to reveal its presence to anyone. Looking up he was surprised to see Laomir looking down at him. Thranduil big good night to the elves and thanked them all before he went to his wife.
"I made a vow never to let the sun go down on an argument, Thranduil. Last night I broke that vow and I am sorry."
Thranduil stared at her before sighing. He put an arm around his wife whispering, "Let us go in. I am exhausted."
Once seated in the family chamber Laomir began to ask the question that needed asking.
"Did you find the answers you needed?"
Thranduil began to massage his hand against his aching temples. "Not an argument please, Mir. Have the little ones given any trouble?"
"Nay." She sighed, "Legolas and Turian slept yesterday to this morning. They broke their fast along with Asfloth in the kitchens and they have spent the remainder of the day outside. I know not where they are but some warriors are with them I believe."
Thranduil made to get up. "Good, I think it is time I went to bed."
Laomir sat up and said "Thranduil wait we must. . ."
Putting up a hand Thranduil stopped her.
"Not now. Let me rest first."
*********************************
Please Review???? Pretty please???
Author: Robin9
Disclaimer: I am not making any money from this at all, I do not intend to infringe on any rights.
Author's Note:
Hi Everyone!
Ok I sort of need help. I really need a Beta reader. If anyone would be interested please e-mail me. If it helps the story is written, it just takes me a while to correct it and do all that stuff.
Help?
Robin
********************************************
Laomir had not had a restful sleep. After her argument with Thranduil and his leaving, she had spent her time trying o control her simmering temper. Initially she had tried sowing but had pricked her finger so many times that she threw it against the chamber. Then she thought to study some books and herb lore, but she could not stop the words Thranduil had used running around her head. Finally she decided to go for a long hard ride. However even that had not gone well. She had actually slipped on a step and her horses' tail had slapped her in the face.
Now back from a long hard gallop she thought about everything. Giving her horse the reins she let him take the pace while she tried to figure out what to do. It was then she realised she had not left a message for Asfloth. She was forgetting her own son in all of this mess. She wondered at her depth of anger and fear over Legolas.
"I know not what to do anymore." She whispered to herself.
It was late in the evening when she approached the stables. She dismounted this time with all the grace of a she-elf and not a she-troll she mused. Entering the palace door she walked up towards the study Thranduil was in. She knew he was about to leave to go to Sorian's house and she knew she should say goodbye. She was on the verge of entering when her stubborn nature. The one that always got her into trouble told her that he needed to go to her not the other way around.
Inside the study Thranduil had shaken his head at his stubborn wife. With a quick decision he stood up walked out the door and called to Berol. He wished to leave immediately.
Laomir decided it was time to check on the little ones. She wondered what would happen now. Opening the door she looked in and a small smile graced her lips. Flat on the bed was Legolas. Beside him with his head on Legolas' ribs was Turian and at the other side was Asfloth. It seemed these elves were able to rest and relax while she made herself ill with worry over them. Looking at each one she decided Thranduil was probably correct. Legolas and Turian would rest well for a number of days to come. Looking one last time from the door. She whispered good night and closed it with a click.
************************************************
Thranduil rode his horse through the forest of his home He didn't really notice as they headed more and more west. His mind was back at the palace with his family. It had been with a heavy heart that Thranduil had left the previous evening. The argument with Laomir and the bitter words still haunted him. So much that the patrol had left the palace a day early. He tried to reassure himself that there was nothing he could do now, yet he felt torn. He knew within his heart and his soul that Legolas did not kill them with intent. Yet Thranduil knew he had to go to his brothers' home. He had not visited it since before that night. His brother Sorian had operated on an open home policy. Any stragglers were welcome to stay the night. He would provide them with food and directions. The reality was that elves were still looked at strangely and so not many broached near the home to realise what was there.
Sorian's home had been his uncles who had been lost on Mount Doom along with his brother the King. Sorian had always been the quieter of the two sons of Oropher, and he had thought about moving away from the palace for a long time. It seemed after Marienne's death Sorian felt he had no option.
The home they now approached was a large flet wound around a great oak tree. The main entrance hall came out in front and wound up along the trunk were the remainder of the rooms all on different levels. Florat, a warrior and captain of Mirkwood's guards approached. He began explaining what happened the morning they had found Sorian dead.
"My King, that morning, we were not greeted by anyone. This in itself was very unusual as every time previously either of the family would approach or a message would be left. We entered through the back hall. "
Only Thranduil, Florat and the King's bodyguard Deral walked the path around the remains of plants of flowers. Thranduil was saddened to see most withering. Going under an archway they entered the flet.
The home had not been changes from that day. Thranduil saw clay and glass jars broken and smashed. Pots were littered on the floor. The way to the main entrance and study was to go up a winding stairway to the upper balcony and landing, then down a different stairwell. As they climber they approached the landing. Here Florat stopped. "My King, we found your brother here."
Thranduil looked to the stop. There was a pool of dried blood. Thranduil knew how his brother had died. He had been stabbed and left to die. He looked to the spot for a few more moments and closed his eyes. Taking a deep breath he opened his eyes and looked to the captain.
"We split up from here, my King. We knew something had happened and the family may have all been killed. One group went outside to check the grounds. Another group searched the bedrooms and we went down the stairs to check the study." Florat motioned to the stairwell. Thranduil nodded and began his descent.
As they went down the stairs Thranduil saw the study door was open. He did not see the pool of dried blood directly under the balcony until pointed out by Florat.
"It was here we found your nephews my King. Noralis was lying on the ground his brother was lying beside him holding and cradling the body. Initially we thought both were dead but them Legolas moved."
Thranduil looked at Florat and tried to stop the quiver that was entering his voice. "What did he say?"
"Nothing, he just shook a lot. We tried to find out where Turian was but he wouldn't respond." Here the normally composed captain's turned away for a moment, his eyes closed in memory. "We tried to get him away from Noralis but he shook us away. He would let no one touch his brother."
Deral the King's personal bodyguard had been watching this exchange. He had not fully agreed with this mission but he guessed that Thranduil needed to find some answers to the questions that were flying around. He decided to ask the question he knew was most difficult for Thranduil to ask.
In a gruff voice he said, "Noralis had been killed by a dagger through the heart."
The captain now recovered looked in surprise at first to the King then to Deral before nodding. "Yes, instantaneous we surmised."
That at least gave some reassurance to Thranduil Deral decided nodding. Then he held eyes for a moment with Florat. He wondered what he was doing but he knew it had to be done. He just hoped it would turn out well. "Did you recognise the dagger as belonging to any of the elves in the house?"
It seemed to Deral after he said that, the dark Lord himself could have entered that room done a dance and no one would have noticed. The King's eyes were focused on Florat.
"I knew the blades that Sorian, Legolas and Noralis all practiced with. This was not one of them." Florat glared a little at Deral before tuning back to the King.
"A group of elves returned at this point to tell us that tracks had been found outside but there were so many it was hard to tell. One of the female elves began to press Legolas to get Turian and to find him."
Thranduil looked back at Deral for a moment and nodded his thanks. He looked around the room again before nodding to the captain to continue.
Florat walked over to the door under the balcony. "Legolas eventually left through this door and later he returned with Turian in his arms. We bundled them out to a horse straight away and sent them to the palace. In the meantime we prepared the bodies to leave."
Thranduil with his back against the wall nodded once at this information. He didn't say anything. Deral glared at Florat and motioned for him to go through the door he stood by. Florat looked back with a haughty sneer. Deral pointed to his own dagger and then the door once more. This time Florat left.
Deral leaned against the wall Thranduil was at.
"Thank you for asking that question." Came a quiet voice. Deral nodded in reply. He put his hand on Thranduil's shoulder.
"Thranduil, you could not have stopped this. I know that in my bones. Do not torture yourself over the past old friend. Look to the future."
Pain filled grey eyes locked with Deral's. "I should have been there for him. He was my brother. He died on the landing floor with none near him. I would like some time alone for now."
Deral made to protest before a pleading look from Thranduil stopped him.
"I will be outside checking the grounds."
Within moments the flet was empty.
Thranduil stood looking at the spot, the same spot he had seen in Legolas' dream. He had seen the elf raise the dagger before lowering down. What did this mean? Pushing off the wall with a groan he made to his brother's study. The flet was quiet. Thranduil wished for some noise to take from the sound of his own feet padding along the floor.
He entered his brother's study. So less formal than his own. On the wall were drawing done by the children. He spied horses, bows and dragons. Arrows and some bows were also on the wall. Rocks and stones were placed everywhere. The atmosphere was one of comfort. Thranduil sat at the desk a moment. He looked at the handwriting on the page in front of him. How could the person who wrote that be dead? It was written which means Sorian existed, but now Sorian is gone and he would never see any new writings like that ever again. Thranduil rose swiftly swallowing hard against a lump in his throat.
He stood taking breaths deep into his lungs. Leaning down to a bottom drawer in the desk by the window he pulled the drawer out before placing it gently on the floor. Then reaching in with his hand he pulled out the red journal. He looked at it lovingly caressing the outer cover. He did not have the strength yet to open the first page but it gave him a warm feeling to see it in his arms. He put it under his cloak. He replaced the drawer again smiling at the fact that his own journal was hidden in the same spot in his own study.
He paused looking again at the empty study. It got suddenly cold and Thranduil unconsciously pulled at his cloak. There was no life. They were all gone. Too quiet. He closed the door.
Going to the balcony he looked around before opening the door in front of him. If memory served correct these al were guest bedrooms. He took the winding staircase and opened the door to reveal a brightly lit chamber. An unmade bed was in the middle of the wall, covers thrown to the ground. Books stood against the wall and the chamber was immaculate. A learning bow was placed respectfully in the corner. The room was filled with plant life. When in bloom it would have made for a wondrous sight. Now the plants were dying. As with the study, Thranduil did not feel he could water the plants that belonged to Noralis. A small balcony looked out over the misty mountains in the distance. Nothing was disturbed. No papers left scattered. It was all very tidy. Thranduil left the chamber, but paused at the door and bowed to its previous owner.
Turian's room was easy to recognise. Only an elfling could find something so wondrous about mud and dirt, the room was nearly full of it. Rocks leaves, mud, dirt, clay, stones and flowers all littered this room. The same with the other rooms, the flowers that had bloomed were withered and brown, the little insect that Turian had been looking at, were no more. Thranduil realised all their lives had simply ended the night their father and brother had been killed. Turian's bedcovers again were flung off the bed. A book had been knocked to the floor in the process. Thranduil felt almost like he should not touch anything reached hesitantly out and picked it up. Nursery tales. Looking around the chamber he again passed over the threshold closing the door.
Sorian's room was small and tidy as it had always been. Even as children Sorian would always have been the tidier of the two. There had been many flowers and plants in bloom around the room. As the balcony had been closed and Thranduil felt he could not open it. On a small chest beside the made bed were some books. Without picking them up Thranduil read the covers: Nursery Tales and the history of the first age. A small jug contained water stood beside them.
Looking at the bedside dresser he saw a wooden box with herbs and flowers inside. He recognised them as healing and general herbs. They had been freshly picked that day. Now they were withered and brown. Thranduil stood in the chamber for an extra minute. He had not had as close a relationship with his brother lately as he had before. He guessed that was normal. Elves grew up, got new families and moved on. Thranduil had been busy, he knew he could have done more but he hadn't had the time. Now he would have given anything to simply have a little more time. Turning it was with a heavy heart he closed the door.
Legolas' room was at the top of the stairway. It was in all honesty a mess. He could not tell if the bed had been slept in. Clothes were thrown everywhere. He saw stones, leaves and plants. A bow and quiver stood against the dressing table. In it's scabbard he found a white handled knife. Thranduil looked around the mess with a small grin. No wonder this room was at the top. Sorian could not have abided the mess. Some books were in a pile on the dressing table. Thranduil saw the fall of Gondolin as one of the titles. Casting a final look around the messy chamber he crossed the threshold.
To get to the back entrance Thranduil ended up going through the tack chamber. He looked at the different types of saddles and bridles. He dared to reach out and touch one but his finger didn't quite make it. Once he made it outside he took a deep breath. Yet he heard nothing. Where normally he would have heard birds and the trees directly around the home there was no sounds. Thranduil looked curiously around but still heard nothing.
"I think they are in mourning."
Looking around he faced Deral. He nodded and turned back to his friend.
"It has been a long time since I remember a silence like this in the forest." Thranduil swallowed hard. "They must have been good friends to the forest."
His friend nodded but turned to Thranduil saying.
"Two still are."
Thranduil looked at Deral and saw something was troubling him. He was about to ask what it was the Florat approached. Deral mouthed later to Thranduil.
Turning to Florat Thranduil asked quietly "Did you find anything more?"
"Nay, more tracks have been made since. We did not discover anything new."
Looking around Thranduil realised something, "Where did you release the horses?"
The captain looked at Thranduil a little strangely. "My King, the horses are over there. We did not release them."
Looking over Thranduil saw his own horse and the others belonging to the patrol.
"Not those horses the horses in the stable."
Florat answered slowly "There were no horses in the stable, My, King."
Getting a glaring eye from Thranduil was not something any elf desired. Now Florat was getting a full on glare "Of course there were, there is a tack room with brushes and curry combs. There have always been horses here. Very good horses too. My own is from this breed."
The captain looked around. "When we got here, there were no horses. I never thought it important. Forgive me, my King. I never even realised..."
Thranduil shook his heard and began to walk away saying over his shoulder "Nothing to forgive. Let us leave now. This has been a hard day for all. I would wish to return to the palace as soon as we can."
Deral frowned as he heard what Florat had said. There were some things that were troubling him and when he made it back to the palace he decided he would find a way to get answers.
With that order to leave the elves gathered the horses. Thranduil took a final look at the now empty home before turning his horse back to the palace.
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Arriving back to the palace Thranduil got off his horse with little energy to spare. While the trip had not been long he felt utterly drained. The journal was still placed inside his cloak. He had not wanted to reveal its presence to anyone. Looking up he was surprised to see Laomir looking down at him. Thranduil big good night to the elves and thanked them all before he went to his wife.
"I made a vow never to let the sun go down on an argument, Thranduil. Last night I broke that vow and I am sorry."
Thranduil stared at her before sighing. He put an arm around his wife whispering, "Let us go in. I am exhausted."
Once seated in the family chamber Laomir began to ask the question that needed asking.
"Did you find the answers you needed?"
Thranduil began to massage his hand against his aching temples. "Not an argument please, Mir. Have the little ones given any trouble?"
"Nay." She sighed, "Legolas and Turian slept yesterday to this morning. They broke their fast along with Asfloth in the kitchens and they have spent the remainder of the day outside. I know not where they are but some warriors are with them I believe."
Thranduil made to get up. "Good, I think it is time I went to bed."
Laomir sat up and said "Thranduil wait we must. . ."
Putting up a hand Thranduil stopped her.
"Not now. Let me rest first."
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