"This is not to be believed!" said Thranduil, his eyes widening in shock from the information his son had just provided. He was just rising from his bed when Legolas had unceremonious entered his private bed chamber.
"I am afraid it is true…," began the prince.
"I will not stand here and allow you to speak such things, Legolas. I have never known one of our kind to do something so contemptible…Why are you armed?" said the king, now noticing Legolas was wearing his weapons.
"I mean to go after him. I have already ordered guards to be assembled. I just need your approval to do so."
The king looked into his sons eyes for a moment and it would seem he would give his approval, but then he shifted his gaze and looked over Legolas's shoulder, into the adjoining sitting room. He then turned and walked through the archway into his bathing room, saying, "I see you left my door open. Close it, will you?"
Legolas ignored his request and followed in step behind him. "Father, you must hear me on this..."
Thranduil turned abruptly and asked seriously, "Do you really mean to follow me in here, Legolas?"
Allowing himself to realize where he was now standing, the prince shook his head and said, "Oh, of course not, sorry."
"Then will you please shut my door?"
Legolas backed out of the bathing room quickly. Crossing back through the ornate bed chamber and then through the length of the sitting room (passing the side table he had leapt over in his haste on the way in), he finally came to the king's main chamber door. He mused offhandedly that he had no memory of leaving it open. Just as he was closing it, Gillel arrived. The attendant knocked lightly and since the door was ajar, started to enter the front room.
"Good morning your majesty, I…Oh, Prince Legolas," he puzzled, "I am surprised to see you here this morning. How is Linnah's training going?"
"She is doing fine, thank you. Unfortunately I am here on a serious matter and my father…" he turned his head and sighed because then, as if on cue, singing was now coming from the bathing chamber. His father had begun his daily morning bathing ritual. It was a long, drawn out process that Gillel was all too familiar with.
Gillel immediately recognized the prince's disappointment. "May I be so bold as to ask what this serious matter concerns?"
"Yes, of course. It concerns the creature we were holding in the dungeon."
"Were holding, my lord?"
"Orlindel took him alone and without my consent this morning for an outing in the woods. I am convinced that his intentions were not honorable. In fact I am convinced that he is up to some treachery and my father will not believe this to be so. He does not even want me to speak of it. I am afraid that our kingdom is now in greater peril because of this new development."
Gillel placed his hand on Legolas's shoulder and said with a keen understanding, "Let me try to talk with the king. You know how your father is, my lord. Maybe I can persuade him to listen."
"I would appreciate it," Legolas replied. He turned his head once again in the direction of the bathing chambers and tensed his jaw. When he turned back to face Gillel he said, "I will go check on the orders I gave to the dungeon guard and then I will return immediately after."
Gillel nodded and bowed to the prince. Legolas nodded slightly in return and left the king's chambers.
It was an hour later when Legolas returned to his father's rooms. The guards had been told to assemble in the Throne Room and await the final order from Legolas or their king to begin the hunt.
Thranduil was now dressed. He was looking at himself in the mirror above his dresser as he placed the final touch; his crown upon his head. In the mirror's reflection he saw his son enter his bed chamber once again. Speaking to the reflection he said, "So, have you come to tell me that Orlindel has returned and you were wrong?"
"No father."
The king frowned and turned from the dresser. His brows were knitted tightly together in thought and he started to leave the room.
Legolas moved quickly to block his path. The prince placed his hands in the air in front of him at chest level, his palms facing the king. "Please father. I know this is difficult, but you must accept Orlindel's treason…"
"I told you Legolas, I will not hear such talk!" said the king angrily. "There has to be another explanation for Orlindel's actions." He brushed past Legolas and leaving his chambers, walked toward the Throne Room. Legolas immediately followed the king.
Inside the Throne Room, as Legolas had ordered, Aeron and several guards were already waiting. Thranduil stopped abruptly upon seeing them. He knew before anything was said that they believed Legolas's appraisal of the situation. He walked past the group and took his seat upon the throne.
"My lord, the dungeon guards have informed me of Gollum's escape with Lord Orlindel," said Aeron. "What are your orders?"
Thranduil lowered his head into his hands. He whispered to himself, "This cannot be. I cannot accept this. Orlindel would not do this to me." To the group he said, "We do not know for certain that it was an attempt to escape. My nephew could have a very justifiable reason for talking the creature for an outing."
Legolas walked to his father and gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "Father, I implore you. It has been several hours since his departure. We must act quickly. Orlindel knows of Linnah's parentage. He knows her father is the Lord of Dol Guldur and he has Gollum to aid him. There is no telling what he might do or say to give away our secrets. Even if he does not intend to, there is no telling what might be revealed in the hands of the enemy. We must formulate a plan and fortify any weaknesses we might have overlooked. It is time to accept the inevitable. We must brace ourselves for war."
Thranduil sadly looked up into his son's eyes. "Leave me," he said simply. He looked at Aeron and the guards. "All of you leave me. Give me a moment to make my decision."
They all glanced at each other and then bowed to the king and left the Throne Room.
Legolas was standing quietly outside the Throne Room with Aeron, when Aragorn approached.
"Legolas," said Aragorn, looking serious, "I heard about Gollum's escape, and though I hate to force the subject, I must insist on being among those who hunt him."
"Aragorn…," began Legolas looking apologetic. Aeron politely left the prince's side and went to the group of guards standing on the opposite side of the corridor, also awaiting the king's instructions.
Aragorn quickly said, "I know this creature. I tracked him, I caught him and it was I who traveled with him on the long road to your kingdom. There can be no one better to assist your troops in capturing him once again."
"But Linnah…"
"Legolas," said Aragorn firmly, "Linnah will be safe where she is for the time being. Gollum holds secrets within him that can unhinge our very existence. He must be recaptured. It is urgent beyond measure."
Legolas looked at the ranger steadily. He nodded his head in understanding and was about to speak when the Throne Room doors were suddenly thrown wide open. King Thranduil came storming out of the chambers and ordered his personal guards to follow his lead. He walked over to Legolas and without ceremony, gave his orders, "Gather my army and have them all in front of the Great Gates within one hour's time. I will be addressing the troops there." He motioned to the Captain. "Aeron, have Aragorn lead the search party. I want him to take charge in the searching for Gollum and instruct Gillel that I will address the serving staff before the evening meal."
Aeron and Aragorn both bowed to the king and left with the group of guards.
Legolas looked at his father and asked gently, "And what if Orlindel is found?"
Thranduil narrowed his eyes at his son and replied, "Have him brought before me, alive."