Hello folks, here's another instalment of "From Tragedy to Triumph" for you all to enjoy. I cannot tell you how much of a pain this chapter has been to write, but it feels great to have it finally done and dusted and uploaded. Once again, a huge thank you to María (Thuriniel), without whose kind words of encouragement and reassurance that I'm not writing complete nonsensical drivel, this chapter would still be languishing half-done on my hard drive! Happy Birthday love! I'm going back to uni this weekend so the next chapter may take a while to appear depending on how things go and when we get our internet sorted!

As always please read and enjoy this and if you want to leave a review I would really appreciate it, or you are welcome to email me and give your opinions. Take care,

Emma xxx

Repercussions

Thalion was sitting in his father's study, buried under the shear volume of paper that had been generated during his father's absence. It was not though lack of motivation that it had all piled up, Thalion simply had no idea how his father managed to get through all the reports and proposals that had been left him and still manage to rest during the night. He had felt bound to read every single one, but each time one was completed another two or three had been left for him. Suddenly, Thranduil burst through the double doors unannounced and Thalion jumped to his feet, starting at the loud sound that interrupted the relative quiet.

"Adar, you are back earlier than I thought you would be. Did things go well with Lord Elrond? I have tried to keep on top of things here as you can see, but to be honest I really do not know how you manage it." Thalion's greetings were swept aside by his father, whose voice was annoyed and strained, worried almost,

"Thalion where are Legolas and the three guards that came ahead of us?" Thalion frowned slightly; puzzled by the way his father had arrived. There had been no greeting and the look on his father's face spelt trouble for someone.

"What do you mean Adar? I have not seen Legolas for three weeks now since you set off." Thranduil turned to the guards who had been stationed at the door and said,

"Go to the stables and check on the horses. If that mare Legolas dotes on is there then we know he has been back. One of you, find one of the guards who just arrived with me! I want the names and the location of the homes of the three that came back with that boy." The guards left and Thranduil sank down into a wooden chair in the study muttering, "He has been nothing but trouble these past few weeks. I really wonder what has gone wrong with that child."

"Adar I am sure there is a reasonable explanation for everything. Legolas does not go out of his way to upset you. And he is no child, he is grown now." Fire blazed in Thranduil's eyes,

"Oh you think so do you? You would not have known it if you had witnessed his behaviour at Rivendell and now this. Well Thalion, when he is found, and mark my words he will be even if we have to scour the entire wood, he will be in so much trouble that.." Thranduil did not finish.

"Adar, he is your son!" Thalion cried, distressed, "Show him some compassion and forgiveness. As you did not come back with all of Rivendell on your tail then things cannot be as bad as you make out." Thalion was spared more of his father's anger by the arrival of Malnarthan and the guards. The Queen simply slipped into a chair having smiled a greeting at her son and she did not utter a word.

"Well?" Thranduil said impatiently at the guards.

"Highness we found one of guards who came back with Prince Legolas. He is outside and wishes to speak to you. The Prince's horse is still in the stable, but the stable boy swears that another of the horses is missing, one the Prince likes to ride to give his mare a rest. He also says that the Prince told him that he had ridden on alone from your party because he wanted to see his brother." Thalion's eyes sunk and his heart cried out for the stupidity of his brother. Thranduil growled angrily in the back of his throat earning himself a sharp glance from his wife. The guard took this as a sign and showed in the visibly shaking soldier. He stood to attention in from of his King and did his best not to meet Thranduil's eyes.

"I understand you arrived here with my son."

"Yes sire. Two afternoons ago, sire."

"I see. And what happened when you arrived here? Why do none of your superiors know you came back early?"

"Prince Legolas knew that we were all anxious to see our wives and children, sire and he suggested that if we all arrived quietly, one at a time after he had told those in the stables he had ridden on alone then we would have a couple of days to spend with our families, sire."

Thranduil's eyes opened widely as he could not believe what he heard. Legolas was leading insubordination in the King's own guard. Legolas would pay dearly for this.

"Very well. I will deal with you and your colleagues when Legolas is found. Until then the best thing you can do is to go out there and find him. Send a hundred troops and start searching the forest for any sign of him and I want it done now!" All the guards nodded and jumped and left. When Thranduil got in a temper it was always best to do as he said. They were worried for the safely of their prince and frightened by the King. They had never seen Thranduil in such a rage, not in a long time, and the consequences were usually severe for all those involved.

Malnarthan wept for her son silently as she sat in her husband's study and Thalion stared out of the window not fully comprehending the situation. The silence was broken when Thalion turned sharply on the heels of his boots causing the polished floor to squeak and he said to his father,

"Adar, let me join the search. I will check all the places Legolas likes to go. I know them better than the guards." Thranduil simply nodded and Thalion moved from behind the large desk. He went to his mother and knelt at her feet, clasping her hands in his,

"I will find him, avo nallo [do not cry]. No vell an ion lín [Be strong for your son]."

Thalion swept out of the room and quickly went to change from the lavish clothes he had worn to receive visitors into a simple pair of breeches and a shirt to search for his brother.

Thalion searched all afternoon and evening alone. Sometimes he passed the guards and caught the news from them. There were horse tracks all over the forest and the evidence of multiple fires. The forest was bustling with traders and they could not be sure which trail belonged to Legolas, if one even did. Thalion did not stay long to speak with them and he carried on searching every place in the vicinity he knew Legolas liked to go when he was upset or angry, but as night drew on he had to admit defeat. Some of the guards had ridden out to speak to those living further from Thranduil's Halls and Thalion came upon them as he returned to his father. They had no news of Legolas either.

Soon after Thalion had left, Thranduil had had enough of being inside too. He had sat in his chair, he had tidied his desk, he had paced the room back and forth and he had shouted at any guard who came to report that his son had not been found. Thranduil slammed his fist down onto his desk and stood up, "I am going for a walk," he said to no one in particular, but Malnarthan sniffed from her seat across from her husband. Thranduil left the confines of his study and out into the forests amongst the trees. He walked here and there not knowing where he was going, his steps laboured and his heart sinking. Thranduil found a secluded part of the private gardens belonging to his family and sat beneath the boughs of a great oak tree as the Sun sank below the tree tops and the night crept across above him, stars peppering the darkening sky. He let his head fall back and sighed as it made contact with the rough bark. Closing his eyes Thranduil saw the face of his young son as he played in the same garden when he was but a few years old. The innocent joy was spread across all of Legolas' features and lit up his eyes with a radiance that Thranduil defied even Elbereth to match. Legolas sprinted across the grasses, vaulted flowers and bushes and swung from tree branches while his family clapped, cheered and laughed at his antics. Thranduil remembered with pride how his son's first words had been "Ada! Ada!" as he had walked in the room after a particularly trying day and remembered happily the way Legolas' nose creased when he smiled, a childlike trait that he had not lost as he grew. Sighing once more, this time longer and more wistfully the King hauled himself to his feet and wandering though the paths of the garden he listened to the sounds that filled the night air - the birds' chorus as they went to roost, the rustling of the leaves in the gentle breeze, the soft singing that came from a nearby home, the painful shriek of the young elfling. Thranduil did a double take and rushed to the edge of the wall around the gardens where the sound had come from. He placed his arms on the top of the wall and raised his head over the stonework expecting to see the bloodied body of his younger son, but closing his eyes in relief Thranduil realised it was not, it could not be. Legolas was well beyond making those high-pitched squeals. The noise had come from a group of young elves, no more than ten play fighting in the half-dark, but that did not prevent Thranduil heart from skipping a beat. The King's heart pounded in his chest as he closed his eyes in relief, but it reminded him all too well that Legolas was grown now, he had come of age, and the frivolities of his youth were past. Those indulgences had been indulged and all his patience was spent. Thranduil knew that when Legolas returned as much as he wanted to hold him tightly to his chest and reassure himself that his son was well, he would have to punish him for his transgressions. Legolas would have to learn, he said firmly to himself, even if it twisted and tore at Thranduil's heart in the process, Legolas would learn. Resuming his walk through the secluded walks of the garden, Thranduil's anger coursed through his body, but that did not stop a single tear rolling down his cheeks at the thought of his son spending his third night alone under the stars.

As the King wandered the paths in the garden, Thalion entered his father's study, but found only his mother there. She had been crying and her eyes were red and swollen.

"Naneth, is there any news? Has Legolas returned?" Malnarthan shook her head,

"No ionnen [my son] and I fear he never will." Thalion's brow furrowed and fresh tears ran down his mother's face, "Thranduil was so angry with him. He told Legolas he was not his son. He was too harsh! I tried to stop him! And it was me who let Legolas ride ahead once we had crossed the mountains! Oh Elbereth, I have failed my son, my baby! Elbereth berio laes nîn! [Elbereth protect my babe!]" And she broke down once more. Thalion held his mother close and said,

"If Adar does not care about Legolas then why does he have a hundred guards searching for him? Do not think the worst Naneth. Tell me, what did Legolas do to earn father's anger?" Malnarthan wiped her tears another time and she shook her head,

"It is best that you hear it from Legolas. I do not know all his reasons and I do not think you could rely on your father's account to be unbiased. If Legolas returns then you can know."

"Not if, Naneth, when." Thalion kissed her on the cheek and bid her farewell and he returned to his flet where Eiliant was waiting for him. Thalion ran up the steps to the outermost room and pulled his boots of as he reached the door, "That brother of mine. You will not guess what he has done now. He has disappeared and Adar has got half his personal guard out searching the forest for him. I just do not understand Legolas sometimes." By now Thalion had shed his boots and was walking into the sitting room Eiliant liked to read in during the evenings. She was not reading though, she was standing by the door into their bedroom. Thalion smiled and kissed her lengthily on the lips, stroking her soft cheek.

"Did you hear what I said," and Eiliant shook her head, "Adar is so angry. When Legolas turns up…" Thalion stopped. Eiliant was still shaking her head and she put a finger to his lips. Frowning she turned sideways in the door and Thalion saw his brother sitting on his bed dirty and dishevelled, but more importantly safe and well.

"Legolas, tithintor!" Thalion's face was overjoyed by seeing his brother, but then realisation struck, "Where on Middle-Earth have you been? Did you hear me just now? There are a hundred of Adar's best troops out there looking for you, he is furious and Naneth is going mad with worry." Legolas buried his face in his hands and Thalion thought he heard the sound of a sob welling through his entwined fingers. Eiliant stroked her index finger down her agitated husband's arm,

"He's been like this for hours, he just turned up here looking as if his entire world had caved in on him. Thalion I could not turn him away, I just could not."

"I know. And at least Adar has not found him like this. Would you get him some water while I try and find out what has happened? Naneth mentioned something about Rivendell but I just do not know. She said Adar's account would be biased and I should hear it from Legolas himself." Thalion subconsciously bit the edge of his lower lip, not knowing what to worry about most; Legolas or his father's anger. Sliding down on the bed next to Legolas, Thalion realised he had not imagined the sob and Legolas really was crying. Thalion's heart broke for his brother as he pulled Legolas into his arms and the tears really began to fall down his cheeks. Legolas' body was wracked with sobs and he clung to his brother's shoulders as if his life depended on it. All Thalion could do was hold his brother, rubbing circles into his back to soothe him. At some point Eiliant came quietly in and left Legolas a cup of water. She looked concerned at Thalion, silently asking if he knew what was wrong. She had seen Legolas come to his brother for counsel before and a shoulder to cry on, but never like this. She had never seen the normally so carefree-looking elf so worn down and at conflict with himself. Thalion shook his head very gently, closing his eyes, telling her that he had no idea what was wrong yet and his younger brother still cried as hard as he had when he was an infant.

Night fell and the myriad of stars appeared in the dark sky above the trees. Finally Legolas had shed all his tears. His eyes stung and his throat was dry. He pulled away from Thalion, his eyes lowered to his lap where his arms now rested and Legolas muttered slowly, "I am sorry. I should leave now." Legolas motioned to stand up but Thalion held him tightly by the arms and shook his head,

"Nay Legolas. Tell me what bothers you. Man presta 'ûren tithintoren? [What affects your heart my little brother?]" Legolas shook his head, he could not tell his brother and bring shame on him as well. He shrank away from Thalion, but he gripped Legolas' arms harder, "No Legolas, you tell me why you are here. Tell me why you disappeared for two days and have got three of the guards in serious trouble with not only their superiors, but Adar as well. He was muttering about seeing to their disciplinary actions himself."

"No!" Legolas cried out, panic in his eyes. "I ordered them and they listened. Adar cannot punish them, it is me that is at fault."

"Why are you at fault Legolas? What happened in Rivendell?" Legolas shook his head,

"No Thalion, it is too shameful, I would not bring that on you too. It is best you do not know." Legolas continued to struggle in his brother's grip. Thalion let out an exasperated noise and flung Legolas' arms from his hands and his face hardened,

"Legolas you can tell me what has happened and I can help you with Adar or we can march over there right this minute and I will leave you alone with him."

"No! Do not!" Legolas cried, his face full of distress. His voiced dropped, "Please Thalion, do not take me to Adar. I will tell you, but you must promise not to interrupt." Legolas began to collect his thoughts in his head, "I will tell you." Thalion handed Legolas the glass of cooling water to wet his dry throat.

Legolas started with difficulty but eventually the words began to flow. He started with the lessons he had been having with his father and his tutors for the months previous to their departure and the talks on the way to Rivendell. Then Legolas progressed to the time in Rivendell and the plan with Arwen. Thalion interrupted him for the first time,

"Legolas that was an idiotic thing to do! Did you and Arwen really think that Adar and Elrond were blind and would not see or realise? Elrond sees with more than just with his eyes," Thalion added mysteriously. Legolas shook his head,

"Arwen said it would work and I believed her, Thalion. I wanted a rest from everything. You do not know how it has been for me, you have always been the perfect son to him. You cannot imagine what this is like for me, constantly trying to live up to the podium that you are placed on and then do better just to get a single word of praise. When he thought Arwen and I were," Legolas fumbled for the right word, "courting, he smiled at me. Thalion, he smiled," Legolas said with amazement. "I have not seen him smile at something I have done for years, so long I cannot remember when. I loved that feeling. I did not hear a harsh word for two whole weeks and I made friends, proper friends, with the children of Elrond." Legolas looked at his hands again, "Until it all went wrong and Adar disowned me."

"He did what?" Thalion was aghast. He had not believed it before, but hearing it from Legolas' lips finally made it sink in. Thalion shook his head, what had Thranduil done? Tears fell silently down Legolas' cheeks again as he remembered the last night in Imladris,

"Adar was telling me all night to ask for Arwen's hand and someone must have overheard. Elrond got mad and the truth came out. There was a fight between Adar and Elrond and Naneth and Lady Celebrían had to step in. Thalion it was horrible and it was all my fault!" The tears fell faster and louder now and Legolas wiped them away with the heel of his hand, trying to push his tear duct closed and stop the torrents. Thalion ran his fingers through Legolas' tangled hair trying to comfort him. "I retired for the night; Adar and Naneth saw me to my room. Adar was crying and he would not speak to me. I have never seen him so angry or upset," Legolas voice stuttered as he came to the worst part, "and then he said I was not his son." The emotions coursed through the bodied of both brothers. Legolas' heart was slowly breaking and Thalion's cried along with it. Even Eiliant, in the next room, felt the silent cry that went up from the hearts of those she loved dearest and a solitary tear rolled down her porcelain cheek.

"Legolas, Adar loves you dearly. Why else would he have all those guards looking for you? If he did not care he would not bother."

"You did not hear him Thalion."

"Legolas, come. Adar is just angry. You know what he is like. Although I admit you have gone a bit too far this time it will all blow over in the end."

"It will blow over when I become someone I am not." Legolas said this in a hard voice, grinding the words out of his mouth. Thalion was shocked by the change in tone and looked questioningly at his brother,

"What do you mean Legolas? Adar will love you whoever you are." Legolas stood up enraged now.

"No he will not Thalion! I cannot believe that you have been blind to it all these years. He wants me to be like you! I heard him say it myself, at Rivendell the first afternoon we were there before I had met Arwen. Can you have been oblivious to it all this time? I have been compared to you ever since I was born. I remember all my tutors comparing my work to yours as I learnt and all my accomplishments were surpassed by yours. He was never happy with me. One day, I cannot have been more than seven or eight, I wandered into Adar's study during the day with some work I had done that I was particularly pleased with. I went behind his desk and hopped onto his lap. His arms did not even go round my waist to help steady me. I showed him the work and told him all about it and he never looked up once. And do you know what he said next?" Thalion shook his head, not knowing where Legolas memory was to take them. "He said, 'Thalion won an archery competition today, beating all the guards. And he knocks before he enters my study.'" Legolas sank down to the floor curling his feet up to his chest, trying to make himself as small as possible. He turned his glassy eyes onto his brother, Thalion was stung by the hurt that came from the blue-grey orbs, "That was it, Thalion. Not even a word of recognition. In my naivety I left my work there, thinking he was too busy and would look over it later. I never saw it again, and I doubt he did either. He will never love me as he loves you." The barrier behind his eyes broke and the tears overflowed again. Legolas sat on the floor, his head buried in his knees trying to hold himself together in front of his brother, but was completely incapable of doing so, his heart would not let him.

Thalion shifted from the bed to the floor next to his brother and took the sobbing elf in his arms tightly, not allowing Legolas body to shake with emotions. Thalion sung quietly in Legolas' ear a song he used to sing him in infancy to calm him when he was upset or to lull him to sleep and, as in those times, Legolas' weeping stopped and he simply closed his eyes finding peace with his head resting on his brother's shoulder. Thalion sung it again and Legolas began to relax a bit more and lean his body onto his brother's.

"There, now, that is better is it not?" Thalion said. "Enough talk about Rivendell, tell me where you have been since the day before yesterday."

"I changed horses and rode into the mountains. I found a cave with a little stream and foraged for food. There was some wood for a fire and I had quite a comfortable night. The next day I followed the stream down its course and found my way into the middle of the forest where very few live. I sat with the trees and explored all the glades I came across. It is beautiful there, and no one cared who I was or what I was doing there. There was no one leaning over my shoulder telling me what I was doing wrong. It was bliss." Legolas paused for a moment and Thalion saw a slight smile pass across his face, the joy almost spreading to Legolas' eyes, but not quite reaching them, their light remained dull and pained. Thalion cleared his throat slightly and Legolas was drawn back to the present to tell his story. "The second night I spent in the open under the trees with no fire or anything, just listening to the sounds that the Greenwood makes at night. I kept following the stream the next day too until it joined the river than runs near the Halls and I knew where I was again. There were too many people about so I climbed the tallest tree I could find," Legolas said sheepishly. "I could hear the goings on below and eventually I heard Adar was come back and had half the forest looking for me. I heard the guards going backwards and forwards searching for me, calling for me, asking those that passed by if they had seen me. That was when the shame hit me. I should not have hidden from Adar but faced him like an ellon. But I am not grown, I am still a child and I will never learn what it is like to be an elf. Adar is right, I have brought no end of shame on this family and the whole kingdom. It would all be better if I were like you," he finished bitterly.

"No Legolas!" Thalion said, shaking his brother fiercely, "I will not hear you say that. You do not want to be like me, you want to be like yourself. If you were like me, do you think we would get on so well? Do you think that we would be as close as we are if we were exactly the same? Why would Adar and Naneth choose to have a second child at all if they would only get one exactly the same? No, they chose to create a second son out of their love, to bring joy into our lives."

"And to extend Adar's bloodline which he now wants me to do by finding a wife." Legolas said bluntly.

"No Legolas! How many times do I need say this? You were conceived in love and you are still held in that love to this day and for every day until the end of the world! It is you that is in the wrong if you deny that love and ignore it."

"Ú-henich, ú-heniathach! Ú-cenich nín na chin tîn! [You do not understand, you will not understand. You do not see me with his eyes!]"

Thalion was quiet for a moment pondering his brother's outburst. His heart sank as he managed to comprehend what Legolas was saying to him. It hurt him more than he could possibly imagine hearing Legolas' words. What did his brother wish him to do, not do his best in his duty, not marry the elleth he loved? No, he reprimanded himself sharply, he should not resent his brother, it was Legolas who had every right to resent him. Guilt, that was what Thalion felt in that moment. He had always revelled in his father's praise, lapping up every last drop of it like the cat who got the cream. How could he have been so ignorant to it all? How could even he have been so blind as not to notice how much it pained Legolas? The number of times Legolas had come to him for comfort over the years, giving no reason just simply needing to be with someone who could make him smile and give him encouragement in life should have told him enough. Oh Elbereth, what had they done to Legolas? How it would have hurt him, Thalion saw it all in that moment. He could not think of the number of achievements that had been passed over or the tears shed in the private of Legolas' room. Legolas was right, it was true, he could not see Legolas with their father's eyes but neither could Legolas. Instead Thalion did the next best thing he could do,

"Legolas I will stand by you with Adar. I am beginning to see some things differently. Sometimes things get too much for all of us, but it is best to speak of these things instead of letting them dwell inside us. You should not have run for this. If I had realised before how much Adar was hurting you I would have tried to speak to him for you, tried to make him see. I am sorry for failing you."

"You did not fail me Thalion, you made me stronger." Legolas embraced his brother, crossing his arms tightly across Thalion's back. "My quarrel is not with you, but with Adar. Thank you Thalion, gond nîn [my rock]."

The brothers moved apart, still sitting together on the floor and rested their heads back on the edge of the bed. Eiliant noticed the quiet and the calm that had spread through the talan. Not knowing how this had come about so soon after their shouting she curiously peeked though a crack in the door. Seeing them sat side by side as they had so often done before she realised that any fight they had had was over and her presence would not be an intrusion. Pushing the door open she said softly in her melodious voice,

"I have made us some dinner, I did not think you would appreciate the servants bustling around. There is enough for three if you wish to stay Legolas. You are more than welcome." She smiled gently at the elf and he smiled back, his heart warmed with her kindness and generosity.

"Thank you Eiliant. I would like that very much. Your cooking is superb, fit for anyone's last meal!" Thalion looked shocked at Legolas, but soon realised it was all a joke and began to snigger along with his little brother. Dragging Legolas to his feet and putting an arm round his shoulder Thalion ruffled Legolas' hair with his free hand and led him to the table for dinner.

At first the meal was a little uncomfortable because the topic of Rivendell had to be avoided, but soon conversation was struck up about Thalion's time as ruler of the Greenwood and the difficulties that came with it. Eiliant had some new stories about the ladies of the Court and who was in favour with whom. Her cynicism of the Court, which she was not exposed to until her marriage, never failed to make Legolas laugh and he always enjoyed hearing what the ladies thought of him.

"And what it the latest opinion of me, Eiliant?" Legolas asked, smiling and filling his mouth with her delicious food. Eiliant smiled and a hint of mischief was evident in her face.

"Well obviously I cannot go into specific details," she started slowly, dragging out the story, "but there were a number of young ellith who were devastated by your departure and the loss of your presence for possibly the whole season." The three of them all laughed heartily. It never failed to amaze Legolas when Thranduil dragged him to Court for one of the many 'important ceremonial feasts" that occurred in the woodland calendar, how many of the young ladies gravitated in his direction, always waiting to see if they would be asked to dance. Legolas hated the way they simpered and smiled at him, batting their eyelashes and playing with their hair to attract his attention and yet his father insisted he be introduced to every single one of them. Legolas had to dance with each of them at least once a night in the vain hope it would satisfy them enough to leave him be for rest of the evening. Of course that did not work because at the next occasion they tried to claim him for dances and Legolas could not find the words to refuse them politely, he was the busiest elf at any feast.

Finally the meal came to an end, despite the slow way Legolas was eating his food so in the end it was cold. Thalion nodded to him gravely and Legolas rose from the table,

"Thank you for dinner Eiliant, it was delicious as always." She smiled and let Legolas kiss her on the cheek before watching Legolas and Thalion descend from the talan and head towards Thranduil's study. The sky had darkened and the stars were now all visible, candles flickering in the breeze in the windows of all the buildings dotted in and around the trees. Eiliant sighed gently, hoping beyond hope that Legolas would come out of his meeting with Thranduil unscathed and her husband would return to her before too long. Turning inside she set about clearing their meal.

Legolas found that his steps became heavier and more laboured in the short walk to his father's study. His heart began to pound faster and his hands started to shake. Thalion, walking by his side noticed this, and stopping within sight of Thranduil's library. He turned towards Legolas and put his hands over his brother's,

"Legolas, I am here beside you. Try and calm down or you will lose your temper and say something you regret." Legolas nodded acknowledging his brother's wisdom and took a deep, relaxing breath,

"Come on, let us get this over with." Delving deep for every ounce of courage he had Legolas began to stride once more towards where he knew his father would be.

They both paused outside and Thalion motioned to the guards not to announce their presence and they returned to their posts. Thalion saw his brother's fists clench and the knuckles went white. There was a grim determination in Legolas' face when he raised his eyes to Thalion's telling him that he was ready. Thalion placed one comforting hand on Legolas' shoulder before pushing open the heavy doors into their father's study.

The room was only dimly lit by a few candles. Thranduil was pacing the floor behind his large wooden desk, muttering quietly to himself. Malnarthan was sitting quietly in a cushioned chair, dabbing her eyes with a scrap of cloth. Both of them jumped when the door closed loudly behind Legolas and Thalion and there was an uneasy silence as all four stared at each other in wariness. Malnarthan moved first, running across the room to Legolas and enveloping him in her arms, holding him tight to her breast, and saying over and over as she wept with joy,

"Laesen! Laesen! [My baby!]"

Legolas did not know what to say and instantly guilt filled him once more. He had not thought of the pain that this would have caused his mother. He closed his eyes and let himself sink into her embrace, holding her just as tight as she held him, letting her maternal scent waft over him. Legolas knew not how long they stood there together but suddenly he heard the irritated clearing of a throat and he and his mother pulled apart. Legolas' eyes fell onto his father's stern face, a complete replica of the anger Legolas had seen only a few nights before in Rivendell. Thranduil held his hand up, not wanting to hear anything his son had to say,

"Daro! [Stop!] Avo bedo! [Do not speak!]" Legolas nodded submissively, shifting nervously on the spot. Thalion looked from his brother to his father and said imploringly,

"Adar, please! At least listen to what he has to say."

"Ú-gerion iest vinai lasta an thernarn dîn! [I do not have a single wish to listen to his tale!]" Thalion was admonished and Thranduil was clearly not in a forgiving mood. The King had stopped his pacing and was now standing behind his desk his fingers gripping onto the back of the chair. In Thranduil's eyes ran liquid anger and heat shot from the whites of his eyes. Legolas held this gaze though, awaiting the punishment and lecture that was sure to come, well aware that this was more trouble than he had ever been in. Thalion moved to his brother's side standing by him, as did Malnarthan, her expression clearly telling her husband that he was not handling this the way she wanted him to. Eventually Legolas blinked and Thranduil saw fit to pronounce his judgement in a barely restrained voice, tainted with bitterness,

"I cannot tell you how disappointed and angry you have made me in the past few days. I never ever expected this of my own flesh and blood. I find it hard to even conceive how anyone could think to play such a cruel and damaging trick on their own family. And then to top it off you lead insubordination amongst my troops and disappear like a coward into the forest for two days!" Legolas opened his mouth to speak, but Thranduil waved him aside, "I do not want to hear any excuses from you Legolas. I thought that growing up I had instilled in you a sense of honour and responsibility, but now I can see that this has not been so. Does your family history mean nothing to you? My father and I have governed this wood for centuries, we have fought and died to keep our people safe and this is all you can manage to distinguish yourself. You have lied and cheated and brought no end of shame on not only yourself, but me, your mother, your brother and this entire kingdom!" Malnarthan had heard enough,

"Thranduil, please! At least hear what he has to say! And do I not get a say in this either? I am his mother after all." Thranduil's eyes flashed and he turned on his wife,

"We have tried your approach too many times Malnarthan. What this boy needs is strict discipline and perhaps he will learn what responsibility and hard work actually mean. We have let him and his heart wander far too long in the Greenwood and now it is time to bring him back to where the rest of us spend our lives." Thranduil glared fiercely at his second son before dealing the final blow, a sly smile on his face because he knew just how to hurt his son. "You are forbidden to go out in to the wood, no riding and no walks. You will stay here where I can keep an eye on you, running whichever errand I can think of for you. You will be in Court every single night making pleasant conversation with everyone and you will make friends with elves instead of following your brother around like his shadow."

"Adar! Now that is unfair!" Thalion cried, not believing what he was hearing. How could Thranduil say these things in the calm and measured voice he was using? How could he be so harsh and cruel?

"Enough Thalion," Thranduil said glowering at him. Thalion would have continued to argue for his brother, who remained uncharacteristically silent, but Thranduil swept on. "I expect you to behave every inch the prince of the family you have been born into. There will be no room for slack behaviour Legolas. You have brought this entirely on yourself, do you understand me?" All eyes turned to Legolas.

"Yes," his voice was scratchy and hoarse. Legolas cleared his throat, but his voice did not lose its choked edge, "Yes sire, I do." Thranduil nodded curtly.

"You will be here tomorrow an hour after dawn." Thranduil paused, "Get out of my sight."

Legolas fled the room as fast as he could and was quickly followed by his mother and brother. They led Legolas in the direction of his flet, one of either side of him, guiding his wayward steps. Malnarthan fussed around him as he sank into a soft seat and screwed his eyes up tightly, fighting his emotions,

"Do you want any food ionnen?" Legolas did not answer, he was too deep in his own thoughts, so Thalion spoke for him,

"He is fine Naneth, he ate with Eiliant and I just before we went to Adar." Malnarthan nodded, now not knowing what to do. Legolas stood up abruptly and looked from his mother to his brother and watching Thalion he said quietly,

"I think I would like to be on my own now. I need some rest." Thalion nodded and pulled his brother to him in a short embrace,

"Come on Naneth," Thalion said to Malnarthan taking her hand gently to lead her away from Legolas.

"Go with Thalion, Naneth," Legolas said gently as he kissed her cheek and then he hesitated for a moment as he pulled away. "I am sorry Nana. I am so, so sorry."

"We know," she whispered sadly through her soft smile, patting Legolas' arm. Thalion put his arm around his mother's shoulders and led her away. Legolas watched them go down the steps and into the darkness. He took off the dirt-encrusted clothes he had been wearing for the past two days and crawled under the sheets of his bed, trying to find some rest in his dreams, but Legolas could not relax his mind. It was actively turning over the events of the day and the days to come and try as he might, Legolas could not find passage back to his childhood and the peace those memories brought. Instead he could only see the hurt and anger his father's eyes and feel the dread of the next few days, weeks or months to come.