King Thranduil leant against the doorframe of his son's bedroom, and exhaled deeply as he took in the surroundings. If he closed his eyes, he could imagine Legolas sitting in the windowsill, either reading a book or writing poetry.

"Why did I let you go?" muttered Thranduil, sitting on the edge of the bed and running a hand over the smooth silk sheets.

A week had passed since Legolas had left for Rivendell, and Thranduil was already beginning to feel the strain of his son's absence. He would do anything to have Legolas back with him, for he knew that if anything should happen to his son, it would surely break him.

Never in his life had Thranduil felt so alone, and he realised with a sharp jolt that he even beginning to miss the tense silence that often lay between him and Legolas, the arguments that they had on frequent occasions.

*********Begin Flashback*********

Legolas pulled himself free of the two guards that held him by both arms, and glared at them for a brief moment, before kicking open the study door and walking in. The guards glanced wearily at each other and followed him in.

"King Thranduil, your son is here," said Varelos, a silver haired guard with blue eyes.

"Thank you," replied Thranduil, looking past Legolas to where Varelos and his companion stood. The latter sported a bloody lip and a black eye, and was looking far from amused. "How is Faeron?"

"In the Healing Rooms, having his arm cast," replied Varelos. As Thranduil inclined his head as a gesture of dismissal, the two guards bowed low and swiftly left the room.

"So it is true then," said Thranduil. "You have actually broken the arm of one of my soldiers, and fought with another."

"Of course it's true if you could see it," said Legolas, throwing himself into a chair and crossing his arms defiantly. He cared not for anything at the moment, for he was still fuming about what had taken place down in the armoury two weeks back.

"I will *not* have anyone behaving in such a way as that, especially my own son," snapped Thranduil. "What in all of Arda...I mean, why...? Can you explain yourself in any possible way?"

"All I wanted to do was walk in the forest," said Legolas through gritted teeth. "They followed me and I told them to leave. They wouldn't, so I lost my temper and lashed out. That's all there is to it."

"I sent those guards after you, Legolas. Do you understand that? I did not do it so that you would be angered, I did it to protect you!" shouted Thranduil, slamming his hand onto the desk. "How can I get through to you that I only want to-?

"I know! You only want to protect me because I'm all you have left and I try and take my life at every given opportunity," cut in Legolas. "Tell me something that I have not heard over a thousand times."

With that, the Prince jumped from his seat and made to leave the room. Thranduil however, who had become used to this and knew now to be ready, leapt forwards and caught Legolas by the arm, spinning him around. The two stared at each other for a few seconds, before Legolas cocked his head infuriatingly to one side, and raised a questioning eyebrow.

"You are going no-where, for we are not finished yet," said Thranduil.

"I have nothing else to say," snapped Legolas. "I do not see why I should remain here when I have no wish to. I have better things to do, father."

"You speak and act as though you were but a child, so I will treat you as one," hissed Thranduil. Without warning, he raised an arm and backhanded his son, feeling but not showing great remorse as the younger Elf was thrown to the ground by the force of the blow.

Legolas held a hand to his flaming cheek, stunned at what had just happened. Many times had he been subject to Thranduil's anger and rage, but never had he been struck before. Needless to say, he had not expected his father to do something like that.

"Get up," said Thranduil sharply, eyes narrowed.

"Yes father," muttered Legolas, slowly getting to his feet and brushing some loose hair from his eyes.

"Is this really what it takes to get through to you?" asked Thranduil softly now, tracing a finger along the red mark on Legolas' face. "Because that was the one time in the past month that you have been subdued in an argument. All the other times, you lose your temper and storm off. I did not enjoy hurting you then, but I do not know what else to do with you."

"I'm sorry," whispered Legolas.

"But it's no good apologising. Every time something happens, you tell me how sorry you are, and I hear over and over again that you will never act in such a way again. Then the next day, we go over the same thing," said Thranduil. He sighed, and pushed some stray strands of hair from Legolas' cheek. "Ion-nin, I do not wish to see you hurt anymore, but you are not helping at all."

"I know, and I'm sorry. Really I am," said Legolas desperately. "Please forgive me."

Sighing deeply, Thranduil drew Legolas to him in a tight embrace. "Just do me a favour, will you? I'm not saying that you have to, but I would be very happy if you apologise to the injured guards."

"I will do," said Legolas quietly. "I'm sorry, father."

"So you have said," murmured Thranduil. He was relieved that Legolas was not being as cold as usual, but still saddened that it had taken violence to get to that place. He also wondered just how long it would be before their next quarrel.

*********End Flashback*********

"May the Valar protect you, ion-nin," whispered Thranduil, "for I know that I cannot."

............................................................................................................

Lord Elrond sighed as he realised that once again, his attention had been wandering from what was being said to him. "I am sorry. Can you repeat that?"

"I only asked if you are alright," said Elrohir in concern. "Are you?"

"To be honest with you, I am not quite sure. I am just worried for Estel and the others, that's all," replied Elrond. "Un-necessary concern, I expect."

"Do not be too sure," said Elladan distantly.

Elrohir's head snapped to the side, and he eyed his brother with an intense gaze. "What exactly do you mean by that, 'Dan? Is something happening?"

"No. Or at least, not yet," replied Elladan. "But then, we cannot be certain. All I meant was that they are bound to encounter some problems on this journey, and they all know that."

"Your brother speaks truly," said Elrond. "Though, it pains me to say so."

Elrohir looked slowly from Elladan to his father, an incredulous look now on his face. "Maybe they will face trouble, but it does not mean that they are in danger. I mean, they could..." He trailed off as his twin drew in a sudden sharp breath.

"Valar...no...please," gasped Elladan.

"What is it? What do you see?" whispered Elrohir.

Elladan closed his eyes and leant forwards to rest his head in his hands as everything flickered and spun in front of him. "Chains...blood...flames...everything is dark. Estel is there with the others...Legolas...can't move...they..."

"It's alright," said Elrond softly, as Elladan jumped from the chair and backed away towards the wall, fear flitting across his face. "We are with you, ion-nin."

Elladan snapped his eyes up as he felt himself being guided down to the ground. He turned his head and looked into Elrohir's ebony orbs, before inhaling sharply and drawing his knees towards his chest. Lord Elrond watched and waited in anticipation as Elrohir wrapped his arms around his twin. It was strange really: Elladan was the elder of the two by a mere thirty-eight seconds, yet because of the painful visions he had, it was Elrohir who was the most protective.

"It has ended," whispered Elladan, finishing the sentence in a sigh and resting his forehead on Elrohir's shoulder.

"Alright, can you tell me exactly what you saw?" asked Elrohir in similar hushed tones, as he slowly stroked his brother's hair.

Elladan nodded and drew away from the embrace so as to try and stand up, but Elrond was instantly at his side, holding him down. "Stay there for a minute. This is the first time you have ever had a vision whilst awake, so you are bound to feel a little unsteady and disorientated."

Sighing, Elladan passed both hands through his hair, and rested back against Elrohir, who had slipped an arm around his shoulders. "They stopped somewhere for rest, I think, but were ambushed. Taken by surprise, they were unable to fight, and are now being held captive, as far as I can tell."

"What were you saying about blood and flames?" asked Elrohir apprehensively.

"They are all chained up," replied Elladan in a low voice. "And I saw blood covering their bodies, and...and only Legolas can save them."

Elrond and Elrohir looked across at each other through confused eyes, hearts pounding almost painfully against their chests. The older Elf bit his lip anxiously, and turned his gaze now upon Elladan, who was shaking in fear and disbelief.

"Ion-nin, what do you mean by that? What can Legolas possibly do to save them from whatever...predicament they may be in?" asked Elrond carefully.

"I don't know," whispered Elladan, shaking his head. "Ada, I don't know. But Legolas has the power to save the others, though I fear that whatever he does, he will lose his own life. To fight for him will kill Legolas, but to resist will also be the death of him."

"What are you talking about?" pressed Elrohir through gritted teeth, fighting to remain calm. "Who holds them captive? Does this person – whoever he is – have a history with Legolas? What does he want to fight for? You need to tell us, Elladan, because only you know what is happening."

"But that's just it, I don't know!" yelled Elladan, pushing Elrohir's hand off his shoulder and jumping up as frustration tore through him. "I don't know who is holding them; I did not see any specific details. I cannot just tell you exactly what is happening; it's not as easy as that."

"We know," said Elrohir, also standing up, and holding a placating hand out to his brother. "And we are not asking for specific details. We know how hard it is for you, and we-

"Have either of you ever had to see a once bright and cheerful Elf, still only a child really, thinking that he wants nothing more than to die, praying that his wishes come true?" cut in Elladan, in a somewhat chilled manner. "Have either of you had to watch the pain that another is going through, but have had to resign yourself to the fact that you can't help them? I don't think so. You see, these visions are more than just images and pictures flashing in front of my eyes. I can actually see people's thoughts and feel their pain, which is something that you two are spared from seeing. You should be grateful for that mercy. Do you really think that I enjoy having this...this ability? Sometimes, I even wish that it was you who got it, Elrohir. But then I realize how selfish I am being, and I thank the Valar that you do not have to go through what I do. So don't you dare stand there and tell me that you know how hard it is, because you don't. You don't even have the slightest idea."

"I'm sorry," said Elrohir, quite alarmed now, for he was hearing all of this for the first time. "Really, I-

Elladan was apparently not finished, for he swiftly cut his twin off once more. "It is so frustrating, because sometimes the visions are clear and I am able to see faces and locations that I recognize. But there are times like this when everything is blurry, and I cannot get a good picture in my mind. So now I know that Estel and Legolas are in danger, yet I cannot help them. I do not know where they are, who it is that holds them captive, whether they will still be alive next week!"

"I never knew you felt that way, 'Dan," said Elrohir, his voice sounding like a mere whisper after his brother's violent outburst.

"Why did you not tell us?" asked Elrond gently. He was greatly saddened that his usually happy and laughing son had been hiding his troubles for...well, since he was a child, probably.

Elladan shrugged lightly, feeling all his anger leaving as suddenly as it had come. "I don't know. But this gift – if you wish to call it that – has been given to me, and it is something that I must face on my own."

"You are stupid then, if you think that," said Elrohir, shaking his head, and stepping forward to embrace his brother. "In all our years spent together, have you not yet learnt that you can tell me anything, anything at all?"

Elrond smiled briefly as he watched Elladan burying his face against Elrohir's shoulder, and the latter resting his cheek against the former's head. Really, the Elf Lord was blessed with such wonderful sons, even if they did land themselves into more trouble than needed. Elrond suddenly found his thoughts wandering towards Thranduil and his own children. That family had been viciously torn apart, thanks to the jealousy of a single Elf. But it was no good dwelling on the past. After all, Calaen was long gone and could do no more damage to Thranduil and Legolas...

............................................................................................................

Gollum Girl: Thranduil's your fave Elf? I have to admit, he's one of mine. My top five are Legolas, Elladan, Elrohir, Thranduil and Haldir. But they're all ace!

Rachel13: Your reviews crack me up every time dude!

Irish QT: You'll get your wish soon enough. Actually, I don't know how soon it will be. But it will come, promise!

Deana: Yeah, you're right, he is!

Katie: I like replying to peoples reviews; its kinda fun to hold conversations through the board! No, seriously though, I don't mind helping if people have a problem with the story or if there's something they don't understand. :) And pronouncing Calaen? Heck. I know how to pronounce it, but I'm not quite sure how to write it down. But I'll try. It's like this: Kuh-lay-un. Hope that helps?

Haldir's Heart and Soul: Yeah, Gandalf is a Wizard, but in about...hang on, just let me go count....OK, I'm back. In 2 chapters, the subject of him being there will be brought up. :)

About that flashback, Thranduil wasn't being mean. He was just stressed, and Legolas was being an absolute little sh...forget that. I won't swear on here! But yeah, he's still nice. Sorry this chapter took a little longer to get up, it's just I was at work all day. Boring! Luv Misto x-x