Thranduil could not move, could not think, all he could do was stand there dumbfounded and in a state of shock by what he had just heard. He turned to Darenholt his voice and glare icy. "Legolas is my son. You are nothing but a sick and twisted bastard if you think for one moment that you could make me question Laurelin's faithfulness."

Darenholt laughed lightly, almost with delight. "Your wife was faithful to you, never fear. All she did while I took my pleasure was to scream at me for killing her." Darenholt looked at his King with a sneer on his face. "Legolas is my son, have you never questioned why he looks nothing like you."

Thranduil could only stare at the other Elf and for the first time he could see the resemblance to his youngest son, the long golden hair and the sparkling blue eyes; so unlike his own.

He lunged at the servant. "How dare you speak out against my wife? She would never cheat on me, I loved her!"

Darenholt calmly moved to one side and out if the enraged King's path. In one smooth move he slammed his fist into Thranduil's temple, knocking him out in one. Before either Elrond or Mithrandir could move he calmly turned and left the chamber.

The Maia and Elf Lord moved swiftly to their unconscious friend having taken the silent agreement that they needed to make sure that Thranduil was alright before beginning the search to catch Darenholt. At least they knew who the perpetrator was.

With their help Thranduil came too. He sat bolt upright, far too quickly making the room spin around him. His two friends tried to make him lay down once more but he ignored them and forced him self to stand, leaning heavily against the wall. "I do not believe him. Laurelin would not be unfaithful and dishonest. She would never have slept with him. And Legolas, Legolas is my son."

Elrond tried to comfort his distraught friend and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder as he quietly replied. "We can not know that, he would not just make some thing like that up. We will need to investigate this."

"No!" Thranduil lashed out with his arm inadvertently catching Elrond's chin. "No, you must not tell Lomion, Estel or any one else of this. Especially not Legolas, imagine how he would react. I know she loved me and would never act like this." There was desperation in his voice.

Mithrandir could only look at the emotional King in silence, Thranduil met his gaze. "I am acting like an idiot am I not?" Thranduil sounded defeated

Mithrandir gave a small soft reassuring smile before speaking. "Sit, we need to go through the facts and decide exactly why Darenholt is claiming Legolas as his own."

Thranduil nodded, shivering violently at the thought of someone taking his most precious son from him.

Lomion was exhausted as he made his way through the Palace; he had spent all day trying to find the servant who was after his family but to no avail. All he really wanted to do now was sleep, but he did not have that choice. Estel had been stuck inside all day looking after his little brother and he knew he had to go and relieve the man.

Yawning he entered Legolas' chamber and gasped at the sight in front of him. Legolas was crying softly in his sleep. Estel was lying next to him trying to calm him.

Estel looked up and met the eyes of his friend and with compassion in his eyes mouthed. "Lomion, please leave. The last thing he needs right know is to see anyone who has also been affected by that potion right now."

Lomion nodded and left the room with one last sorrowful look at his brother.

As he left the room he bumped into someone. Looking up he found a smiling servant named Darenholt. "I am most sorry, your highness."

Lomion frowned at the tone of his voice but smiled anyway. "No, it was my fault; I was not looking where I was going." Lomion helped him pick up several of the dropped sheets only to look up as he felt a prick in his upper arm Looking up he noticed Darenholt holding a thorn like needle. He had time to ask "What?" before he slumped to the ground unconscious.

Darenholt looked down at the fallen Prince and laughed, concentrating he used his mental powers to lift the Elf off of the ground and Darenholt quickly left the palace with the floating form of Lomion following closely behind him….

Thranduil was barely listening as Elrond and Mithrandir discussed the best way to combat and confront this new foe. All he could think of was his wife and Legolas.

"He will not risk showing him self openly again." Mithrandir stated. "We have seen him and know now who he is."

Elrond nodded and was about to speak when Thranduil suddenly picked up his goblet and hurled it against the wall. The goblet smashed and the dark wine ran down the wall to pool on the floor. To Elrond's eye it looked for all the world to be blood and not wine.

"Do you remember what that traitor said?" Thranduil snarled, "All she did when I took my pleasure was to scream at me for killing her. Laurelin did not cheat on me, she was raped." Wild eyes looked up at his friends. "Do you recall just how depressed Laurelin was before we found out that she was pregnant with Legolas?"

Elrond could only nod again and Thranduil continued. "We had decided after Drowlin that we would not have any more children. We agreed that five were more than enough. I have never regretted having Legolas, never. Do you remember how she would not let any one near Legolas as a baby? May be she did not want any of us to notice the resemblance to that piece of filth."

Mithrandir laid a calming hand on the King's shoulder. "We still do not know for sure that Legolas is not your son, we need to do the a test. I know of one that we can use, but it requires both yours and Legolas' blood."

Thranduil nodded slightly and walked out of the chamber followed by his closest friends. They approached Legolas' chamber smiling as they heard the sound of his happy chatter.

Pushing the door open they all gave broad smiles at the sight of Legolas curled up on his bed next to Estel on his bed telling him a story. It was a beautiful sight to watch. The little blond chattering away immersed in his tale.

Estel looked up at them and returned the smile. "Leafie wanted to tell me a story." Legolas looked up at his father but quickly lowered his eyes once again.

Thranduil felt his heart drop with sadness at the sight and he moved over to the bed and wrapped his arms around the small Elfling.

"Little Leaf, I need you to listen very carefully to me and what I am going to say. Whatever happens I will always love you and you will be my son, always."

Legolas peered questioningly at his father and smiled. "I know, Ada and I will always love you and you will always be my Ada."

"That is right, Little One, that is right." Thranduil felt the tears slipping out from his eyes, no matter how hard he tried to stop them. He closed them and took a deep breath trying to calm his sudden nerves. "Leafie, Elrond needs to take a little of your blood. I promise it will not hurt. Can you be brave for me, little One?"

Legolas gave a slow nod and looked fearfully at Elrond. He in turn tried to smile calmly and try to calm the frightened Elfling. "Can you hold your arm out please, Legolas and then we can get this all done."

Legolas shook his head and buried his face into his Adar's chest and held his arms close to him.

"Legolas, come on be brave just like Lomion." Estel tried to coax his friend to no avail, Legolas still refused.

Then Elrond had an idea and groaned silently to himself, why had he not thought of this before? "What if I take some from your Ada as well, little One? I can do that first and you can see that it will not hurt." Legolas nodded and Thranduil let Elrond collect his blood in a small vial. Legolas watched his every move.

Once happy that his Ada was alright and that it really had not hurt, he held out his thin arm and cringed as Elrond collected the vial of blood. Once he was done Elrond placed a small bandage over the tiny wound, which was still oozing slightly. Kissing the Elfling's head he told him. "That was very brave, Legolas. Come, we will go to the kitchen and see if we can find some strawberries?"

Legolas' reaction stunned them all. He screamed at Elrond and would not stop. "No! No, no, no, no!!! Please no strawberries, I promise be good." He held his hand out once more. "Take more, no strawberries." He was crying openly now testament to his fear.

Estel took Legolas from his father and rocked him gently. "Do not worry, little One, no strawberries and no more blood. Shall we play with Mousey for a while?"

The other three left the room still shocked at the Elfling's reaction to his favourite food.

Elrond walked toward the healing wing with Mithrandir to check the blood while Thranduil went to check on his other son's.

As Elrond stepped forward he heard the distinct sound of cracking glass, looking down he could see that he had trodden on a vial. The clear glass still held a small residue on the sides; Elrond was puzzled as to what it had held. Bending he picked it up carefully, slipping it into his pocket he decided to test it later out of pure interest.

Thranduil looked curiously at his friend as he saw him pause and then bend, but forgot all about it when a passing servant came up to him and with a low bow handed him a letter that had been delivered to the palace. Thanking him he opened it and could only read shocked.

Thranduil,

You really need to take better care of your sons; you seem to have misplaced one. Oh, dear.

You have my son and I have yours. Give me mine and yours will be returned to you unharmed.

I expect confirmation within the hour. If I hear nothing by the time one day has passed your son will be returned to you one piece at a time.

To show this is no idle threat here is a present for you.

Darenholt

Thranduil could only stare at the clump of hair that held the royal braid in his hand. The traitor had one of his son's? He had to know.

He rushed down the hall, passing the startled servant. Making the door that led into the family quarters he stopped. Common sense once more reasserted it self. He looked back at the servant.

"Please, I would like all my sons and their friends to be found and brought to the family room. It is urgent." The command in the King's voice could not be missed and the servant bowed and rushed off on his errand, if his King said this was urgent then nothing would get in his way.

Thranduil took a deep, calming breath before pushing the door to the chamber open. The large airy room was empty. He crossed to the chair in front of the fire, sitting he let the fire warm him. For the first time in his long life he could say he was cold. And it was not from the elements. This cold came from inside, and nothing would cure it until he had all his sons with him once more.

His musings were broken as the door opened. To his relief the Twin's entered the room followed closely by Elladan and Elrohir. They all had anxious looks on their faces.

"Ada, you wanted to see us?" Nolvo was the first to speak.

"Is something wrong with Legolas?" Alcarnor broke in; worry for his younger brother making his heart beat even faster.

"No, Legolas is alright, Estel is with him. I just need to speak to you all about something that has come to light." Thranduil tried to smile and reassure them but he could tell that it was not working.

The door opened once more and Drowlin entered, he too looked worried as he took a seat beside his brother's. A tense silence fell.

The door opened once more and Elardion entered the room. His face just as grim and worried as the others.

"Sit down, Ion-nin; we just need to wait for Lomion." Lomion did as his father suggested, unsure as to what was going on. The wait carried on. Thranduil's worry grew, where was his eldest son?

A knock at the door interrupted each of their thoughts and worries. The door slowly opened to reveal the servant Thranduil had spoken to earlier.

"My Lord, I am sorry but I can not find Prince Lomion. I have looked every where I can think of."

This admission sent Thranduil's heart falling once more. Before he could say any more, the door opened once more and Elrond and Mithrandir entered. Neither could hide his shock at seeing all of the others present in the room. Especially after Thranduil had specifically said he wanted no one else to know what had happened.

He was just about to comment on this when Thranduil beat him to it. "I will begin and inform Lomion of this when he returns." He hated lying to his sons, but until he had spoken with his friends he did not want them to worry. "Legolas has already recovered from the dose of potion he received. We also know just who has been behind this. It is a servant called Darenholt. I want every one of you to have nothing to do with him; do not approach him on any circumstances. If you see him I want you to alert one of the guards immediately. I want all of you to promise that you will stay away from him." He looked at each one of the young Elves each gave their word.

As soon as he was satisfied, Thranduil left the room, leaving them to talk amongst themselves. Mithrandir and Elrond followed him.

Once he was in his study he turned towards them and raised his eyes for a moment's peace. "Before we start you need to look at this." He handed the parchment to Elrond who took it and read it. He passed it on to Mithrandir with a stunned look on his face.

"You believe this?" Mithrandir looked up from his reading.

"Yes, he also sent me this." He opened his left hand and showed them the braid of hair he was still clutching so tightly.

Silence fell as his friends realised just what it was that Thranduil was holding. He then gently returned it to his robe pocket. "No one can find Lomion that was why I had every one gather in the family chamber. I was hoping to prove this letter wrong." He slumped in his chair, exhausted by all that had happened.

"We will find him, Mellon-nin, Darenholt can not hold him for ever." Mithrandir tried his hardest to reassure.

"We do have some news for you. Legolas is your son; his blood apart from Laurelin's matches yours. We would need to have some of Darenholt's blood, but it may well be he is a distant relative on Laurelin's side." Elrond was at least pleased to say this. His old friend had been through so much.

Thranduil could only breathe in relief. He had been sure that Laurelin would not be unfaithful. He had also been right. Then fear hit him like a spear. Lomion.

"Lomion, what about, Lomion?" Thranduil could feel the colour running from his face.

"We will find him, I will help." Mithrandir promised.

"As will I. We need to speak with this Darenholt. We also have more than a good idea as to what happened to Lomion." He reached into his pocket and brought out the small vial he had picked up in the hall way earlier. "This held a potent sleeping mixture. All it would need to introduce it into a person would be a thorn needle and you have plenty of those trees and shrubs around you."

"He drugged, Lomion?" Horror was clear in Thranduil's voice.

"It would appear so. Luckily it will have no side effects. Lomion will probably just feel as if he has been drinking just a little too much Dorwinion." Elrond ended on a smile. A smile he really did not feel like giving for he too was worried about Lomion. But he was also worried about keeping the real truth from Thranduil. That Legolas was not his son, they had decided to with hold that until they could really and truthfully clear this up.

"I will gather the guards. Who ever this is must be ill in the head. We need to find him as quickly as possible." Thranduil was up and out of the chamber before either of them could stop him, not that they wanted to for they too followed quickly on his heels.

It was cold outside as they gathered the guards and patrols for the search. The first break they had was when one of the Patrol leaders recalled seeing Darenholt earlier that day heading towards the forest on his own. It was in this direction that they headed. Thranduil was in the lead, followed closely by his friends and Elardion, who Mithrandir insisted be told what was going on.

Thranduil had been reluctant but had finally accepted that his second eldest son should ideally be informed.

They were silent as they made their way through the forest and very much on the alert.

The first thing that Lomion was aware of was the pain in his head. Next was the fact that he was so dry he could have drained the River Anduin. His next impression was the pain in his wrists.

He tried to move but found he could not. He was so fuzzy; he shook his head to try and clear it, but could only moan as the pain increased. He tried to raise his hands to rub his eyes, only to realise they were tied behind him. He tried unsuccessfully to stand; to his shock even his ankles had been restrained. He tried to call out but a gag made this almost impossible.

He looked around wildly, unsure as to neither what was happening nor where he was.

It appeared to be a cold damp cave. He had no idea how he had got there. The last thing he remembered was being in the hallway and … Darenholt.

Memory came back in a rush just as a dark figure entered the cave, cutting off the source of light…

To be continued

Hi everyone. This is Meisalliam and Shell has trusted me to say the stuff to you guys today,. I hope that you all loved the chapter cause me and Shell had a little argument over it so if she reads the notes I add. I am sorry Mellon nin. I know I always seem to get things my way.

Please go and review everyone thanks.

Blue September Rain: Does it hurt being on pins and needles.

Triptych : Yep Darenholt is an evil to rival Drowlin. He thinks he Leafies father because he could be right.

Leeanne: Leafie says hi back. That was a shell original line. I come up with nothing funny.

bradleigh: What do you think is going on and I will tell you if you are any where near right.

LadyJackIsBack: He just can not get a break can he.

Sky14 : Thanks we hope you like this one to.

Lirenel: Sorry if you do not like it but it gets better honest.

Dark Borg Drone: what's it like being a drone?

AnathTheGODDESS: Okay I have left yours to last cause I need to Say some stuff. I apologise but we are the kind of writers who do sometimes ignore the rules. We discussed the facts said by J.R.R.Tolkien before deciding in what way to go but in the end we thought this would be more entertaining and true to our original characters than having Laurelin cheat on Thranduil. I hope that you are cool with this cause it is the way we wanted the story to go.

Love

Shell, Meisalliam, Leafie, Lomion, Darenholt, Thranduil, Drowlin, Elardion, Estel, Elrond, Alcarnor, Nolvo, Arwen. . . . The list goes on and on and on