Disclaimer: Not mine.

Author's Notes:

This is still the fifth day…

IMPORTANT PLEASE READ: I will be on holiday (literally) from the 18th (this Sunday) to the 28th (next Wednesday). I will be unable to use a computer, let alone go on the Internet and upload the story. I am sorry that I cannot update. I will try to post a chapter tomorrow if possible. Also note that this school year will be extremely busy for me. I will finish this story but I think that anything else that I will write will probably be shorter because I have major exams this year. No matter what I will finish the story, but it may take time. School starts around the 29th so you can see that I would have just returned from my holiday. I will try to finish the story fast but I cannot promise anything because I may not be able to keep it. School will be unbelievably busy and I know it. I would appreciate it if everyone kept review and checking the chapters though. I will write just that it may be less and on the weekends.  

Elvenbabe: I did explain earlier (through the use of the peace treaty) why Elrond doesn't know Thranduil's son's name. Mirkwood and Imladris are not in alliance and therefore Elrond has no access to the information. Bear in mind that Legolas is very young so that Elrond would not have know much about him if Legolas was not mentioned much by his father. Besides, Thranduil is TRYING to get a peace treaty (alliance thing) signed. At the moment, they don't fight but they aren't friendly. Plus, Legolas has never been out of the Mirkwood palace until now. He always had his lesson inside the palace areas. 

elrohir lover: You are the best! First to review chapter five!

Discussions…Legolas' thoughts are in italics.

**In Mirkwood, Corridor outside the guard supervisor's office**

Meleris felt shocked to the very ends of his hair. His supervisor had just told him that the King of Mirkwood wanted to see him. The King! His supervisor was less than happy with his absence this morning but due to yesterday's events, he excused him from duty for the rest of the day. Meleris was satisfied; he had gotten what he wanted but to see the king? Meleris hurried off to his room to change into proper attire. 

Meleris stood before the King and addressed him formally. "You requested to see me, my great King of Mirkwood?"

"Yes, Meleris, son of Varsis, guard of the palace. I want to ask you some questions on the incident that occurred yesterday evening. I was told that this incident involved Herendil and Githil, the supervisor and sub-supervisor of the servant of Mirkwood. Is this true?"

"Yes, My King," Meleris paused.

"I must stress that everything you say must be the absolute truth. Do not attempt to lie to me in this room." Thranduil said, then nodded – an indication for Meleris to continue.

"I believe that the current supreme supervisor, Githil, tried to murder, Herendil, the sub-supervisor. As you are aware, Githil's brother, Ruthiun, died recently on the unfortunate journey to Imladris. Herendil told me that he informed Githil of the death of his brother. He told me that Githil was upset and angry. Herendil said that he had drunk two bottles, of wine I had assumed. They had a fight in the office, a fight in which Githil had attempted to kill Herendil because he supposedly blamed him for Ruthiun's death." Herendil said, stuttering slightly.

"I see," Thranduil replied unemotionally. "Herendil is in the Healing Rooms is he not?"

"Yes, My King, he is in a…stable condition. His wounds are serious but it is nothing that won't heal within a few weeks," Meleris answered nervously.

"I want to hear the personal accounts from both of them. Githil is currently detained in a chamber on a far wing of the castle. A healer has been sent to him. I also have the knife, which is being held as evidence for the 'attempted murder' as well as several eyewitnesses including you. Is this correct?"

"Yes it is, My King," Meleris confirmed. 

"This information was given to me by the eyewitnesses via the guard supervisor. I requested to see you to confirm if this information is correct because we are going to have a royal investigation on this case. Can you ask Herendil to submit a written statement of the events that occurred between him and Githil?" the King asked although it was more of a command.

"Yes…no, My King," Meleris said. Forgive me Herendil, he asked him mentally. "I am sorry, I mean, Herendil cannot use his hands for…a while because of his injuries. He could not hold his cutlery this morning. I do not think that he can write."

"Very well, since you are his friend you can help him. He will dictate his statement to you and you will write it down. Word for word. I will ask the guard supervisor to give you a week's leave. Is this enough time?" the King said.

"Thank you, My King. I will do so accordingly." Meleris bowed to leave.

"Meleris!" The King's voice stopped him. "Before you leave, I trust you not to inform anyone of this incident except those that are expressly involved. I do not want rumours spreading around." Seeing the questioning look on Meleris' face the king added, "You many tell Herendil what I have told you. Thank you for your time. We will see each other again soon."

Meleris nodded politely, his thoughts spinning. He turned and walked back towards the Healing Rooms thinking of how he would tell Herendil about this.

**In Imladris, Great Hall**

"You are late! Again! How many times must I tell you about going to meals on time?" Elrond said exasperatedly, temporarily forgetting that Legolas was with his sons.

Elladan said, "I'm sorry Ada-"

Elrohir said, "-we were just-"

"-showing Legolas around," they both finished.

Elrond sighs. "Really, you two. Making excuses. You try my patience. Sit down."

Legolas was hiding behind the twins. When Elrond looked at him, he flinched.

"Hello Legolas," Elrond said. He smiled at the elfling.

"I'm sorry." Legolas cast his eyes downwards.

"Don't worry about it. I don't blame you at all. You couldn't have possibly known what time lunch was. Elladan and Elrohir wears down my patience sometimes." Elrond gave his sons a pointed look. "Sit down and have lunch Legolas."

Lunch went rather incident-free until the twins decided to ask the question.

"Um…Ada…since Legolas is a visitor and all…"

"…and he hasn't seen the whole of Imladris…"

Elrond eyes his sons suspiciously. "What do you need now? I know you two want something."

"WewerewonderingifyoucouldletusmisslessonsforonedayandletusgoswimmingpleaseAda?" Elladan said in one breath.

"Whoa, slow down. What do you want again?" Elrond asked in confusion.

"We were wondering if you could let us miss lessons and let us go swimming. Please. We want to take Legolas with us…" Elladan said slowly.

"…since its such and fine day…" Elrohir interjected.

"…and he has never swum before," Elladan finished.  

Elrond had a thoughtful look. "What does Legolas think of this plan?" Elrond didn't want Legolas to feel that everyone was making the choices for him. Elrond knew that his sons could be very persuasive. "Legolas?"

"Um…if they want to, I will go with them," Legolas said quietly. But I don't really want to go. They would see the scars I have. I don't want them to ask questions about me. I'll go, but I don't have to swim right? They can't force me to. 

Elrond could see that Legolas was reluctant to go swimming. Legolas seemed very self-conscious about his body for an elf his age, Elrond noticed.

"Please father?" the twins begged.

"Alright," Elrond agreed. "But on one condition. Glorfindel and I will go with you to make sure you don't do anything dangerous." Or put Legolas in a difficult situation, he mentally added.

"Ada," the twins complained. "Do you have to-"

"Don't whine or you won't go," Elrond said in a warning tone.

The twins raced off before Elrond could change his mind, grabbing Legolas with them.

**In Mirkwood, Healing Rooms**

Meleris entered the room. Herendil just finished drinking some soup for lunch. Meleris did not know what to say, he decided that Herendil looked too peaceful, he didn't want to disturb him. Yet. Maybe he would tell him later about the king, Meleris thought, but Herendil didn't need to know right now.

"What happened? It took you the whole morning," Herendil asked.

"Well…it was rather difficult. I had to deal with some other matters before I could see you. Although, I have been granted a week leave so I can spend it with you," Meleris said.

Herendil seemed pleased by the news while he tried to hide his pleasure. "You didn't have to…I'm fine, I'll get better soon. You said it yourself."

"I didn't take a week off to spend it with you in the Healing Rooms! As soon as you can get out we could just roam around Mirkwood, or maybe even go to the forests around Mirkwood. Only if you want to, of course," Meleris added.

Herendil's eyes were glittering with delight like a young child when opening presents. "Really? We could?"

"If you are well enough to travel. Maybe a short trip at the end of this week…"

The healer was just walking by and overheard the conversation. "Young man, don't you go and encourage my patient to overstress his wounds!"

"Can I go with him at the end of the week?" Herendil asked. He really loved the forest, the smell of the leaves, the crisp air and the sounds of the creatures.

The healer gave him a sympathetic look and said, "I'll see how your wounds are healing. If they are healing sufficiently, you eat all your meals and sleep well…you may take a short trip to the forests nearby but you better go with your friend." 

Herendil was smiling from ear to ear. Meleris smiled too, except inwardly he was worried about what he should say to Herendil. Herendil would have to hand his statement in by the end of the week…

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