Disclaimer- Gotta slap this disclaimer on. I don't own LOTR or any of the characters.

A/N- This chapter goes out to all of the people who wanted Thranduil to hear of his son's capture:)

A/N #2- I'm starting to see some more flaws in this story, but please, if you spot one or more, inform me. I more than likely won't change it, but then I'll know for future reference. It would just be too much of a pain to change the story so that the flaws didn't appear. I might rewrite this story and repost it with all of the flaws sorted out though. Might… I'm not sure… if I'm not too busy, I guess. It'll be up after this story is finished (if up at all, but I plan to redo it), so that I can get all the flaws.

Chapter 6- Ascarlún, the Only Steed for Galion

Thranduil gazed out the palace window. It was a clear day, hardly any clouds in the sky. A day that any Elf would enjoy, but not Thranduil. He was too worried over his son's sudden disappearance. "Oh, Legolas, where are you?" He slumped down further in his throne.

"My lord!" Galion burst through the palace doors into Thranduil's chambers. He was breathing hard, "Prince Legolas… captured…"

"What?" He boomed, "Why? Why weren't you there to help him?"

"I was, but Ascarlún got out and bit Menelvagor. I had to carry him to the healers."

Thranduil stood up and slammed his hands down on the throne's arms. "And that stopped you? Why was Ascarlún out?"

"He broke free, and, my lord, he drew blood. Menelvagor's wound needs to be sutured. If I didn't take him to the healers, then he would've died from blood loss." Galion sighed, frustrated, "It was a matter of life and death. Legolas was taken alive, and I'm sure he'll be kept alive."

"My only son…" Thranduil's head fell in his hands as his body collapsed to his knees. "Why?" He quivered, "Why Legolas?"

Galion walked over to Thranduil and placed his hand on the king's shoulder. "We'll find him, my lord." He rubbed the strapping shoulder in compassion.

The king of the Elves stood up, and addressed Galion, "You mean you'll find him." Said Thranduil, "Servants!" He cried, summoning his best and finest servants. The servants came into the hall and faced their king. "Please escort Galion to the stables. He'll need the fastest steed there is. I suggest Ascarlún."

"But, my king, Ascarlún isn't tamed yet." Galion pleaded, hoping to get a calmer steed.

"But since you went to help get Ascarlún back into the stables, instead of going after my son after you took Menelvagor to the healers, I'd think that you were fond of him." He gave a slight smile to lighten the situation. "Now, servants, go and get Ascarlún ready for the journey."

The servants did as commanded, and soon Ascarlún was ready to go. They did, however, have a hard time getting him to calm down enough to even get the tack on.

"Oh, and, Galion, if you come back without any word of my son, I'll personally relieve your shoulders of your head."

Galion swallowed the lump forming in his throat. "Yes, King Thranduil." He left to the stables to meet a very familiar face. His heart raced. He was about to ride a very aggressive steed, find the prince, and above all, if he didn't get word of the prince, Thranduil would kill him. "Hello, Ascarlún," He started, "are you ready to go?"

The creature's blue fur shone brightly, reflecting the morning light that poured through the window. His green eyes glinted, catching even the smallest trace of light. And his golden wings tucked neatly against the side of his ribs. He shifted in his stall, uneasy of the ride to come.

"It's alright. Just keep calm." Galion walked slowly with his arm extended, trying to touch the horse-sized creature. "It's alright. I'm not going to hurt you." The creature moved restlessly. Then he finally got close enough to touch Ascarlún. Ascarlún wasn't so fond of having an Elf touch him though. He backed away, just out of Galion's reach. Galion unlatched the gate, and walked up to Ascarlún. "Come now, Ascarlún, I need you. Without your help, I'll have my head removed on the spot." He touched Ascarlún's soft fur again. Ascarlún flinched. Galion got closer to the creature, close enough to get his foot in the stirrup. "Don't move, Ascarlún." There wasn't a saddle, since that would weigh them down in flight too much, but rather a girth strap, stirrups, and a bridle. That isn't much, but it's all that the Elves need to stay mounted, and not fall off. Galion pulled his body up onto Ascarlún's back. "Stay calm, Ascarlún. Then this journey will be over soon." He checked to make sure that they both had enough supplies. Once he was sure that all was packed, he gave Ascarlún a light kick to get him to walk. Normally, he would use voice commands, but he knew that Ascarlún wouldn't obey them. Ascarlún didn't move; he stayed firmly where he was. "Ascarlún, ride on." Still, he didn't move. "Ascarlún, move." Still nothing happened. Galion kicked him a little harder, but that didn't get Ascarlún to move either. "Ascarlún, run!" This time he reached back and ran his finger along Ascarlún's flank. Ascarlún really detested that and he began to run out of the stall into the forest. He spread his golden feathered wings and began to beat them quick and steadily, until rider and steed were off the ground.

Galion could see the palace getting smaller and farther away. He was thankful that he wasn't scared of heights. Ascarlún kept a steady beat of his wings, the sun's warm rays shining brightly against his glimmering coat.

The sun was climbing high in the afternoon sky, and Galion decided that they should stop and make camp. He couldn't see Legolas anywhere, and there was no sign of him traveling this way. "Down, Ascarlún." And to Galion's surprise, Ascarlún descended. He landed on a patch of soft grass near a swiftly flowing stream. "Rest for now." Galion stroked Ascarlún's neck. Ascarlún didn't recoil; he even returned the stroke by nuzzling Galion's neck. Galion smiled, he was happy that Ascarlún was finally accepting him. "I'm going to see if Legolas traveled this way." Galion proceeded to walk off to find a trail, and Ascarlún walked up beside him. "You want to help too?" Ascarlún looked down at Galion. "I'll take that as a 'yes'."

The two searched the whole day, but they found no trace of Legolas. "Do you think that he's in a city or town somewhere?" Galion sat down, resting his aching legs. Ascarlún lay down next to him, and stretched out on his side. "Maybe he's held in a small town." Galion laid back on Ascarlún's back and gazed up at the moon. He sighed; he was beginning to think that this was very hopeless. Legolas could be held in any part of Middle-earth, and Galion couldn't return back to Mirkwood without word of Legolas' whereabouts. "We'll have to continue our search in the morning, after breakfast." Galion yawned. He rolled onto his side, and quickly fell asleep.

The sun rose slowly, spilling rose colored light over the plains. Galion awoke to Ascarlún licking his face. "Ascarlún, Valar, I'm up, I'm up." Galion wasn't too happy with Ascarlún licking him awake. He got to his feet and fished in the pack for some food. "Cured meat for Ascarlún, and lembas for me." They both breakfasted quickly and got ready to set out again. Galion mounted Ascarlún, and Ascarlún began to run without even a voice command. He lifted into the air with ease, and before long, Galion could feel the chill morning air brush past his face.

Tbc…

A/N- Thanks so much for all of the nice reviews! That was the most reviews that I've ever received in one chapter! Now how about trying to break that little record;) Oh, and the flank (the area just above the hips) on an animal is VERY sensitive! NEVER touch that part of a horse unless you know what you're doing. I still remember most parts of a horse from my riding lesions:) They were a lot of fun!

A/N#2- Here's a picture of Tirnen: h t t p : w w w .deviantart. c o m / v I e w / 14975953/ (fanfiction won't take it without the spaces… so just delete them.)

And a picture of Ascarlún: h t t p : w w w .deviantart. c o m / v I e w / 14975821/ (Tirnen is REALLY out of proportion… so ignore that:))

Responds to Reviews-

Troubles8806- Well, this chappy isn't a cliffie;) hehe, that's ok if you miss a few chapters! I'm just glad you're back:D The Estel question will be answered in the next chapter. But I'll just give you a little info now. Estel was captured, because he wanted to ban slavery, and of course, the men don't want that. And without Estel in Gondor, he technically can't ban it.

Horsiegurl- Thanks! Here's more! Well… hehe, there was more:)

Jordan- The Elves are being captured, because the men felt like they were being put down by the Elves because the Elves are immortal, fair, elegant, etc… and the men wanted to feel higher than the Elves, so that's why they're enslaving them. Make sense? And look at my response to Troubles8806's review for the Estel question.

Iccle fairy- Ha, the typical situation thing is right! Thanks for the review.

Sam611- Thanks! I can see that you're enjoying this story:D

Hisluv- Don't worry. I don't plan to stop writing:)

Zammy- This chapter's for you then! Hehe, poor Galion…

Teha- hehe, "Legolas for Slave"…

Gemini969- Thanks! I appreciate that!

Jedi Gollum- Hehe, I'm psychic… that's how I know of ham…