Thranduil paced his study nervously. His son was nowhere to be found and the one person that could find him was missing too. The King knew he was more than likely over reacting but, what else could he do? All of his advisors had said his son probably had gone off with a lover, but Thranduil knew that his son would do no such thing without telling him of his relationship first. Legolas had always been a sheltered child, as far as Thranduil knew. Hadn't he?
Legolas had always had a strong friendship with his father, and had always told him of any elleths that had caught his attention, why should this be any different? Thranduil ground his teeth in frustration, had his son been ambushed by orcs? The thought made him tremble.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door. The King figured it to be one of his advisors. "Come in."
"Father." Legolas bowed his head. "I was told you were looking for me."
Thranduil was outraged. "Where have you been? You need to alert someone when you leave the palace grounds! Middle Earth isn't as safe as it used to be, ion nin." (My son)
Legolas put out his hands in a sign of peace. "I've been . . . out."
"Legolas, don't play cocky with me. Where have you been?"
The Prince knew that it was impossible to elude his father's questioning. Legolas leaned against the wall. How could he put this better than he already had. The fact alone was impossible to sugar-coat. "I was out . . ." he paused just to annoy his father. "With a particular elleth."
The look of shock on Thranduil's face was impossible to miss. "But you've been out all night!"
Legolas rolled his eyes, "Obviously." Then he walked over to the large bookshelf that covered one of the walls, running his fingers over the spines of the books before he took a seat beside his father in a red leather chair. "I'm not a boy anymore. I can make decisions on my own now, I don't need the constant buzzing in my ear of your incessant drivel."
His son's sudden hatred of the King was harsh, and it pained Thranduil to know this. "I've always only wanted to protect you, ion nin."
"I don't need protecting anymore! Can't you see that, father? I have found the one person that I wish to spend the rest of my time with, I love her."
Thranduil shook his head. "She will only hurt you in the end, my son. It is a curse on the heirs of the throne of Mirkwood. For once, it is helpful to know the old tales, because in things like this they come true, whether you like it or not. It will only lead to disaster."
Legolas slammed his fist on the desk, "Are you saying that this curse is what killed my mother?" The King nodded solemnly. "You have become old and witless father! Like a mortal you are!"
Thranduil was taken aback by Legolas' response, his son had always gotten along well with him. The King knew that there was only one way to face this problem, it was to except it. "Who is she?"
Legolas looked down at the ground, "Melannen."
Thranduil's jaw nearly dropped. His son had fallen for his shrink? This was impossible! Or was it? "Legolas . . . do you think this wise?"
"No father, I do not. But my heart has chosen for me."
"Very well, then. Just alert me next time."
Hearing his father's approval Legolas could not help but to throw his arms around the King's neck. "Thank you father!" Thranduil was relieved to see that all had be reconciled between them. The young Elf dashed from the room, smiling widely.
It had been nearly a week since Legolas' 'disappearance.' Though now he had been called to duty once again as a warrior. He had once again earned the title as a veteran warrior. This particular venture was a routine one, checking the borders.
Legolas' horse wove smoothly through the trees, his rider looking for anything unusual. Everything was fine. Then the Elf's horse snorted and side-stepped nervously. Legolas patted the animal's neck reassuringly, but it did not calm the stallion. Legolas strained his ears to see if he could hear anything abnormal. Suddenly he could faintly hear the harsh cries of orcs. He looked around, they were coming from every direction, he could see their husky bodies running towards him.
"Noro lim!" (Run hard) he cried to his horse as he turned the steed towards where he knew a plain would be, there he could out run them. The horse bolted and took off like lightening.
In a few minutes Legolas could see the open stretch of land ahead of him. When his horse galloped into the sunlight, he could hear the cries of angry orcs when they dared go no further.
He had to warn his father. Then, out of nowhere he heard the high-pitched neighs of other horses. He turned and saw seven black riders running towards him on giant horses. "By Eru!" The Elf whispered before digging his heels into his horse's sides.
Legolas was riding as fast as he could, but the other horses were more used to such runs and were quickly gaining ground on him. It would only be a matter of time.
Author's note:
Thank you reviews! As you have probably figured out, I just love tormenting you with cliff hangers. I would like opinions on a story idea of mine. An Elrohir/OC romance. Or perhaps a Glorfindel/OC (no slash unless I get lots of reviews of people wanting it) Review on the story and your opinion on one of these stories.
