Chapter 129: Elladan and Elrohir come

Legolas' small feet where extremely tired from following Haldir's horse, so he quietly soaked his feet in the river, avoiding being seen by Haldir. When Legolas was done soaking his feet he quickly hid, for Haldir was bathing in the river. As soon as Legolas saw Haldir removing his tunic, Legolas shut his eyes, for seeing Haldir's chest was as much of a naked Haldir as Legolas wanted to see.

Legolas waited patiently with his eyes shut until he could tell Haldir had dressed himself. Haldir drank and ate, then left. Legolas had secretly stolen some food and water from Haldir.

Legolas was not at all pleased with the idea of moving again, but he had to follow Haldir, even though he knew that his father would not be at all pleased, but Legolas hoped maybe Thranduil would be proud of him.

"Legolas? Legolas, please! Where are you? I'm not mad, sweetheart, just please come out! Ada needs you!" Thranduil ran through the palace calling for his little son. Tears streamed down Thranduil's face as he sat down and realized his little son was missing.

"My lord?" Galion stuck his head into Thranduil's bedroom, where the king wept.

"Thranduil, what's the matter?" Galion asked, sitting beside his friend.

"Legolas is missing. He's not in the palace." Thranduil wiped away a tear from his face.

"Well... there is not much I can do. I will send a search party out for Legolas... Thranduil, I came to tell you that Lord Elrond's sons are here with your daughter." Galion said. Thranduil managed a weak smile at that.

"Bring them in."

Elladan and Elrohir entered the king's room, Thranduil beckoning them forwards. The king embraced each elf (Elladan and Elrohir being like relatives to Thranduil). "So, how have you two been lately?" Thranduil asked, gently running his fingers down Elladan's black hair.

"Good sir." Elrohir smiled, both twins cuddling close to the king. "And where's Illiendal?" Thranduil asked.

"Here!" Illiendal smiled, squeezing in between Elladan and her father. "I missed you." Thranduil smiled, kissing her father. "I missed you too Ada." Illiendal said happily. "Where's Legolas?" Illiendal asked.

Thranduil bit his lip. "Legolas is... somewhere... I... I don't know where."

"Were you playing hide and seek with Legolas?"

"No..."

"Then why dont you know where he is?"

"Because... he's.... he's lost." Thranduil felt a tear on his face.

"Lost?" Illiendal's eyes widened. "Yes. But... Galion will try and find him." Thranduil said, kissing his daughter and wiping away a tear that was on her face.

"Don't cry sweetheart. I promise you, Legolas will be found."

"We can help." Elladan said.

"You two are quite young to go exploring in Mirkwood." Thranduil said. "Yes, but our father lets us come to Mirkwood by ourselves... we CAN help! Please sir!" Elrohir looked at the king. "Alright..." Thranduil, watching as the two twins ran off. "And Elrohir, Elladan?" Thranduil called. The twins stopped in their tracks and turned around. "Yes sir?"

"Go see Galion, he shall tell you what to do to help. Be careful." Thranduil said.

"Can I help, Ada? I can go with 'Dan and 'Ro, can't I?" Illiendal asked curiously. "No sweetheart, you are too young to go with the twins." Thranduil looked down at the little elfling. "But I am the same age as they are!" Illiendal crossed her arms.

"Fine, go... If Elladan and Elrohir do not mind."

"I do not mind sir! Not at all!" Elladan smiled brightly.

"That's because he has not had a girlfriend in years." Elrohir sighed, taking his brother by his arm and Illiendal by her arm and dragging them off to find Galion.

Cield then entered the room.

"Legolas is certainly not in the palace. The party has just left to search outside the palace." Cield said. "Thank you for informing me, ion-nin." Thranduil smiled as Cield turned to be facing Firelien. "Going off with Firelien again, my son?" Thranduil asked. Cield smiled and nodded as he left.

"I pray they find Legolas..." Thranduil whispered to himself sadly.

To be continued...

Three chapters left...