Chapter 82: The return of the King

"Lord Thranduil! Legolas... he is..."

"Tell me where my son is! I have been away for a week and I miss my little boy so much!" Thranduil was smiling. Haldir could see Thranduil truly wished to see Legolas, which made Haldir fear telling Thranduil of Legolas' trip to the forest.

"You where coming home tomorrow!"

"I came early. Now stop putting off my question- bring me Legolas!"

"My lord... I am so, so sorry... it was an accident... I took Legolas outside just some hours ago and... he ran into the forest to find you. I have been searching for hours non-stop... but... I have failed in finding him."

Thranduil looked at Haldir with rage. Haldir saw Thranduil clench his fists, scaring Haldir.

"You... lost my son. My baby son, you lost Legolas?"

"Yes my lord. Please forgive me, please. I'm certain that Legolas will be found! He has only been missing for two hours."

"And meanwhile Legolas is lost in the dangerous forest, scared and alone! He is probably crying and tired! I have lost my wife and one of my children because of these woods, and to lose my youngest would kill me!"

"But... my lord, you did not loose a child in the woods... did you?"

"When my wife was killed in the forest she was carrying a child. When she died, the child did as well, being in his or her mother's lifeless body. But that is behind me now, and you are what I must deal with now."

Haldir was terrified of the king, but dared not back away. Haldir looked up at the king in horror as he was swiftly backhanded Haldir twice across his face, the harsh slaps' force knocking Haldir to the ground.

Haldir crawled back slightly, just until he hit the wall. Thranduil was one never to make angry, or cross when angry, and Haldir had did a combination of the two. Thranduil grabbed Haldir by from the front of his tunic, and pulled the March warden forward. Haldir had never seen this side of Thranduil, nor did he want to. Thranduil kept an arm behind Haldir's back as he backhanded him a third time, the arm behind Haldir preventing him to fall.

Haldir was then pinned against the wall. Thranduil raised a tightened fist when Haldir suddenly yelped.

"Please, please, I beg of you my lord. Stop. Daro. Please. You're hurting me badly. I will not give up searching for Legolas, please, just, don't hit me again." Haldir begged. Thranduil released Haldir, who fell to the floor on his knees.

"Thank you King Thranduil. I will go out and find Legolas, and I refuse to return without the child."

"Nay Haldir of Lorien. I will find Legolas myself. But you are not dismissed. I want you to stay here, guarded by the guards. I will hunt for Legolas in the woods. And if I return with Legolas, you are free, if I return with Legolas' dead body, then I will have your head. If I do not return with Legolas, then mark my words, you will not be seeing Lorien for many, many long years." Thranduil said. Immediately three guards surrounded Haldir. The March warden had enjoyed himself with Legolas, but now it had came to a sad ending. Haldir was not worried that he would loose his head if Legolas were dead; he was worried that Legolas would not be found. Not because he would be kept a slave to be tortured by Thranduil until Legolas was found, but because the elfling was so important to Haldir, as if a son, and to learn that Legolas would be dead or never found would sadden Haldir possibly to death.

"Please Valar, please let Legolas be found. He is cold and scared, please, he is just a baby, let him live." Haldir prayed.

---In the forest---

Legolas had awoken. He was first scared because of his dome that he was trapped in and thought that Gwim's cousin was back from the dead and wanted to catched him, Gwim's cousin being accidentally killed by Legolas when trying archery. But Legolas learnt that it was the apple tree's doings and was quite pleased, in fact, amused. Nothing could get in, and nothing out.

Legolas suffered a scare when a pack of grey wolves came. They howled and surrounded him, but Legolas was never harmed. The elfling did yell though, hoping someone could get rid of the wolves.

"ADA! HALDIW! SOMEONE PLEASE COME SAVE ME!" Legolas screamed.

---Thranduil---

Thranduil heard the scream. He could hear the howl of the wolves. Thranduil came running out from the bushes and saw the pack of wolves surrounding the elfling's dome. Thranduil pulled out his two identical elven blades, gave them a quick swing with his fingers and ran to a wolf. Thranduil quickly slit the wolf's throat and left him to die, whilst moving on to the others.

Young Legolas watched as his father sliced the wolves and saved him. The kindly old apple tree blocked Legolas' view whenever Legolas' father got bitten, as the tree did not wish for his little prince to see such a view. Whence lord Thranduil had slay every last wolf, the apple tree moved his branches and freed Legolas, who outstretched his arms and ran over to his father, jumping up and embracing Thranduil tightly.

Thranduil finally felt the warmth of his little baby he had desired ever since he arrived in lorien. Thranduil kissed his son on his cheeks, followed by another kiss on his brow.

"My little green leaf, I have missed you. And I was so worried. Never go into the forest alone again, promise me that?"

"I promise daddy. I'll never ever go into the forest alone again."

"Good." Thranduil whispered, bringing his small child closer to him.

"Are you hurt at all?"

"My legs are tired and sore, and my bum is sore too. I have twigs in my hair and bugs in my leggings cause I slept on the ground."

"I will fix that when we get to the palace, then maybe some nice hot chocolate milk if you behave?"

"Yay!"

Legolas kissed his father's cheek as Thranduil walked home with the child. A wolf had harshly bitten Thranduil's leg and he needed that healed, as he was limping as he walked (which amused Legolas).

To be Continued...