AN: Wow, well this is the final chapter. I don't want it to happen…I don't want it to end…

Well anyway, lots more angst in this chapter….

Elven Kitten: Don't cry at this chapter…

Mornflower: Arrrr! I be a pirate too? The escape plan might b flawless, ye never know! But that scurvy dog will have other plans.

Chapter 9

Legolas leant against his Father as they crept down the corridor. The elf Prince had sprained his ankle in his fall, this hindered their progress, and this worried Legolas, after all, it could not be too long before their escape was discovered. Then they would be in trouble. For the third time he turned to his Father "Adar, go. I'll get out of here on my own."

Thranduil shook his head "I will not leave you here, Legolas" he insisted "We are leaving here together"

Legolas nodded, he had known his Father would never leave him, but he knew chances of them both making it out of the cave was near impossible. His wounds were more taxing than he had first thought. "Adar, I'm not going to make it. Go. Don't let me slow you down." He slumped to his knees, feeling weaker with every passing moment. "Adar, go!" he said

But the elf King was not to be swayed he bent down and pulled Legolas into his arms. "If you can't walk out of here alone, I'll get you out of here" he told his son, standing with Legolas still in his arms. Then carrying his son, he continued down the corridor.

As he turned a corner a dreadful site met his eyes, In front of him stood Raenthír with many a Southron warrior. Thranduil staggered backwards, reaching for his sword, and realising to his horror it was not there. The elf chuckled darkly "I see the poison is working already" he stated looking at Legolas

Thranduil glared at him "What do you mean?" he asked

Raenthír looked at him "I didn't tell you?" he shook his head "No I mustn't have. The whip you beat him with, it was poisoned. Legolas will die unless you get him back to Mirkwood soon. And then you will need the cure." He laughed "But I'll help you, I'll let you both go now. After all, he will die and there's nothing you ca do about it!" with that he swept off, the southron warriors following him. When they were out of sight, Thranduil fell to his knees with a soft cry. Tears flowed down his face. He looked down at Legolas, for the first time he noticed his brow covered in sweat, his eyes closed, the prince groaned softly, in obvious pain. Thranduil clambered to his feet and carried on down the corridor, Legolas gripped in his arms. He followed the path numbly, wondering why the elf had released them, and if Legolas would really die.

Raenthír watched them go; a smirk on his face, the poison would kill Legolas. The plant used for the cure had long been extinct. The only person rumoured to still have some was the Lord Elrond, but by the time he reached Mirkwood, Legolas would be dead. Then Thranduil too would die, of grief more than likely. Or perhaps he would leave Mirkwood in shame of killing his only son. Either way, Mirkwood would fall. A fitting punishment for the realm that had once exiled him for how he looked, he had forgotten the fact he had left of his own choice, the memory hidden beneath many years of bitterness. He had released them, but their journey home would not be an easy one. "Release the wolves" he said to the man who stood behind him. The warrior nodded and departed. His footsteps echoing as he walked away. Raenthír smirked. Neither Prince nor King would survive this night.

Thranduil laid Legolas on the hard ground and sank to the ground beside him, laying his son's head in his lap and smoothing back his hair, they had seen no sign of the exit to this dark cavern. Sighing deeply he looked around for any sign of the way out of the caverns. But there was nothing, nothing but darkness. "I'm so sorry, Legolas" he whispered "Forgive me, Please"

Legolas looked up at him, meeting his eyes; Thranduil breathed a sigh of relief at seeing this. His son still had plenty of life left in him. He was not dead yet, nor was he unconscious. The elven Prince smiled softly, "What for?" he rasped out, barely strong enough to speak. The prince then blinked and closed his eyes once more. Even in this blackness, spots swirled before his sight, his head pounded like there were thousands of dwarves in there hammering away. He tried to force them away, but found he was unable to. But a small comfort remained; his father was nearby, stroking his brow and whispering words of comfort to him. With the thought that his Father would get them out of these confining caves, Legolas allowed himself to drift into the sweet haven of sleep.

Thranduil felt his son relax, and for a moment feared the worst. He frantically searched for a pulse, and as he found one breathed a sigh of relief. Then he pulled Legolas into his arms and returned to his search for a way of escape. It was not much longer until Thranduil turned a corner and saw the dark night skies, lit by a few stars. A smile appeared on his face and he rushed forward to the entrance of the cave, he stepped out into the open, and stood for a minute, feeling the breeze wash over him. Glancing at the stars he said a prayer of thanks to the Lady Elbereth, before hurrying further into the forest back towards his halls. He pushed his way through the forest, wishing that he had a horse with him. But that was not the case, and he would have to reach the halls on foot. Despite not needing much sleep, the past few day's events had taken their toll on the elf king, and he was in need of rest, the brief respite earlier had not been useful, nor could he rest now, not when Legolas needed urgent attention. He paused in a large clearing and leant against a tree, placing Legolas on the ground for a brief minute. But a moment later a soft snarling reached his ears. He snapped his head up. His eyes widened as to his horror he saw six large wolves, staring hungrily at him and Legolas…

Thranduil snatched up a large tree branch and waved it threateningly at the wolves. "Stay back" he warned, despite knowing they could not understand him. The lead wolf snarled, and one of the smaller ones leapt forward, Thranduil swung the branch it hit the wolf and sent it flying to the other side of the clearing. Another two wolves came at him this time, he succeeded in knocking one away, but the other snatched the branch from his grip and backed away with it. Thranduil paled, but stood his ground before Legolas. The lead wolf stepped towards him, and then leapt at him.

As the wolf leapt towards him, Thranduil flung his hand in front of his face, crying out in agony as the wolf's teeth sank into his arm. It pulled him to his knees, and began to back away, Thranduil's arm still in his grasp. Realisation struck Thranduil hard; the wolf was trying to drag him away from Legolas. He raised his free arm and hit the wolf on the head. It yelped and released him. A moment later an arrow sliced through the air and struck the wolf. Thranduil let a brief smile reach his face. Help had come. He saw Tirinvo, Elladan and Estel lead a group of the warriors into the clearing, and then all went black as pain overcame him.

Thranduil woke to find himself in his own chamber, in his own bed. He lay there for a brief moment before shooting up "Legolas" he yelled, before groaning in agony as pain shot up his right arm. Dressed only in his leggings, the King pulled a dressing robe around his body and headed to the door. It was at this moment however that Ilyanna chose to come through the door.

The healer was pleased to see him out of bed, "Lord Thranduil." She scolded "What are you doing out of bed?"

He looked at her pleadingly "I have to see Legolas" he said "How is he"

She smiled reassuringly; luckily the Lord Elrond arrived the day his sons brought you back. He also luckily had the herb that could cure Legolas. He is safe. He will survive, but he is yet to wake.

Thranduil nodded feeling relieved "I'm going to see him"

Ilyanna nodded "I couldn't keep you from him even if I tried. Just don't get yourself upset." She said

Thranduil nodded and left the room.

Elrond stood above Legolas' bed, the elf Prince still had not woken, but that was expected with the herb used in the cure. He turned as the door opened and Thranduil walked in. The elven king looked at his son, before walking over to him and sinking onto the bed beside him. He seemed not to have noticed Elrond.

The elf lord stepped up to the bed "He will wake soon, Thranduil" he told the elf king, believing him stricken to see his son like this.

"I do not deserve to be his Father." Thranduil whispered "This is my doing"

"No. How can it be?" Elrond said

Thranduil looked up at the elf lord, tears swimming in his eyes "He made me whip him. He said if I did not he would let one of his warriors…" he trailed off, but Elrond understood. "The whip was poisoned. I did this to him; I nearly killed my own son"

Elrond laid a hand on Thranduil's shoulder "You were not to know of the poison." He assured his friend. "This is not your fault. No one will think any less of you for saving your son from the worst of two tortures. Neither will Legolas."

Thranduil looked at Legolas "Then why can I not forgive myself. Why do I think less of myself?"

Elrond turned away "You will forgive yourself Thranduil." He glanced to Legolas "he should wake soon" he said.

Sure enough as he said that, Legolas stirred and opened his eyes. Elrond rushed to his side "How are you?" he asked

Legolas blinked "I'm fine" he said "My head aches, but otherwise…Adar," he caught sight of his Father's arm "What happened"

Thranduil looked at him "It's nothing" he said.

Elrond looked at Thranduil. "I'll be back soon with some medicine" he informed them and swept out of the room.

"What do you mean they are still alive!" snapped Raenthír. He stood in the middle of a clearing yelling at two of his warriors "fools" he snapped turning to leave. But a pair of yellow eyes appeared before him, then another, and another. He staggered back into one of his warriors. Realising they were surrounded he began to panic. Then from the trees came many beasts. Each had many eyes and eight legs. "Spiders…" whispered Raenthír "Why did you not tell me we were in spider territory…"

"We didn't know my Lord" replied one of his warriors equally frightened.

Legolas sat up in his bed watching his Father. The elven king had not said a word since Elrond had left "Adar?" he prompted "What is wrong"

Thranduil looked at Legolas "I'm sorry" he said "You nearly died and it's all my fault…"

Legolas shook his head "Adar. It is not your fault. I never blamed you. I know the whip you were given was poisoned. Neither is that your fault."

Thranduil looked at his son "Yet, I still say it is. Forgive me, and then I can forgive myself."

Legolas placed a hand on his Father's shoulder and squeezed it "There is nothing to forgive"

Thranduil smiled briefly "Thank you ion-nin" he whispered reaching for his son's hand and squeezing it.

Both royals jumped as the door swung open and Elrond walked in carrying a steaming mug of medicine which he placed in Legolas' hands. "Drink" he ordered.

Legolas grimaced, but drunk it anyway. He grimaced "It is disgusting" he confirmed.

"Isn't it always" came two voices from the doorway. Elladan and Elrohir stood there with Estel they walked over to Legolas "Are you alright?" Elladan asked

Legolas nodded "I'm fine" he assured them "how about you?"

Two weeks later, Thranduil stood beside Legolas beneath a large tree in the courtyard watching Elrond and his sons riding away. The elven lord had decided that it was time they all depart Mirkwood, and so they had. Both elves had recovered from their ordeal. Elrond had taken Thranduil aside before departing telling him not to blame himself, at the same time Legolas and Elrond's sons had discussed their next meeting. A thing both elven lords hoped would be better than their previous ones. Thranduil sighed as he realised Legolas would most likely end up injured again. He looked to where Legolas had stood a minute ago. But the prince was not there. "Legolas!" called the King turning round only to see Legolas hanging from the branches of the tree. He leapt back in surprise, Legolas' laughter rang out through the courtyard, and to those who heard it there was no doubt that life in Mirkwood was back to normal.

Well as normal as it could be…

The End

That's it…anyway; I am in the middle of another fic. It is called 'Darkness Falls' at the moment. Here's a sneak preview…and I'll post a photo manipulation thingy on my live journal, at

"You are not leaving this Palace, in that state" the king ordered

"I am"

The king's frown deepened, he was still annoyed at his son from earlier, and did not want another argument with his son, especially not today. Not when his heart was aching for reasons Legolas could not understand. "You will stay here" he commanded

Legolas glared at his Father, "I am not a servant, or a commander in your army that you can order about. I am your son! I intend to leave today, and I will"

Thranduil's fury deepened, Legolas could see his eyes glinting furiously, and his face turning slowly red with surpassed anger, "Do not dare be so obstinate boy! You will not leave to go gallivanting around!"

"Why not? I only intend to get myself taken to Dol Guldur" he said sarcastically

This simple phrase infuriated Thranduil all the more, "Fine!" he yelled "Go and get yourself killed, Mirkwood does not need a Prince, and I do not need a son" the words were born from fury and bitterness, the king had not meant them, and at any other time Legolas' would have seen this, but after seeing the diary, the Prince was lost. At hearing these words, he ran trough the adjoining door into his own chamber, not stopping to see the horrified look on his Father's face

Summary

After an argument with his Father, Legolas and Estel leave Mirkwood. Only to end up in a lot of trouble, with an adversary they thought they had seen the last of. Can they get out of trouble, and will Legolas be able to repair the bond with his Father…

Thank you to:

Angie, Arqueni-Telrunya, Astalder27, Deana, Elven Kitten, Mornflower, and Mrs. Bloom

I'll be back soon, give me a month and I will be back!

Bye bye!

Aranel of Mirkwood