Disclaimer: Not mine!! :(

Title: To New Mutiny

Rating: R

-

:) This chapter is specially for Lolita, who has been waiting ages for this and nearly came after me with a pointy stick when I didn't get here with the last chapter!! Enjoy! ;)

-

Chapter 23

The companions stood on a slight rise, overlooking the palace of the Mirkwood royal family. Legolas frowned.

"None of this is familiar to me," He muttered regretfully, his sharp eyes scanning every inch of the outer walls of the palace for something that would trigger his memory. Growling in frustration, he abandoned the idea and turned to his friends. They were getting ready to accompany him into the Elven stronghold.

"This is something that I must do myself." Legolas said softly, shaking his head at his friends, "Please, stay here. If I need you, I will call, alright?"

The twins and Gimli nodded reluctantly, knowing they couldn't change the archer's mind, even if they wished to.

Aragorn shook his head stubbornly, "Legolas…I do not like the though of you going in there by yourself."

"Aye," Narso spoke up, "I agree with him, you cannot go in there alone, Legolas."

Legolas looked at Aragorn as if he had mysteriously sprouted a second head. "Aragorn, this was my home for millennia before any of this came to pass." He looked from Aragorn to Narso, "Why should I not be safe to enter alone?"

Aragorn sighed, seeing the Elf's logic. "Alright. But do call if you need us. And take this, it will shield you from unfriendly eyes." He removed his black cloak and handed it to Legolas.

Legolas nodded, gratefully accepting the cloak from his old friend and wrapping it protectively around him. He handed his weapons to Gimli. "Guard them well, Master Dwarf." at Aragorn's questioning look, he continued, "I do not wish to appear hostile to them before my identity can be known."

"But, Legolas you— "

"No, Aragorn. This is the way it has to be, the Elves are on their guard, they will eliminate any threat to their king and their lands."

Aragorn sighed heavily, his disapproval clear on his face. "Alright, Legolas, but we shall not be far away. Call if you encounter trouble."

Legolas embraced each of them tightly before turning towards the gates. "Wish me luck,"

They all smiled. "Good luck, Legolas." Elladan and Elrohir said softly.

Legolas smiled, turning and raising a hand while pulling the hood of Aragorn's cloak over his head, "Edro!" he called and the gates swung open.

The prince hesitated for a moment, suddenly overcome with a sense of foreboding, telling him that he should not enter. He shook the thoughts from his head and stepped through the gates, hearing them swing shut behind him. He took a deep breath and began walking through the courtyard towards the palace.

He walked up the stone steps to the door, where the guards stopped him. "Halt and reveal yourself, stranger. Our king does not take kindly to unannounced visitors."

Legolas sighed. "Of course. Forgive me." He pulled his hood back and looked up at them. The two guards looked like they had seen a wraith. Legolas frowned, "What?" No answer. "What is it?"

One of them visibly shook himself and bowed low. "Forgive us, Prince Legolas. We…well, we had been told that you were dead."

Legolas' eyes widened, "What? Who told you that?"

The guards looked at each other. "When you disappeared on that patrol, the king had search parties sent out day and night for months, until Anamaer convinced him to give it up when there was no sign of you."

Legolas closed his eyes. "My prince?" The guard spoke uncertainly, and Legolas opened his eyes and looked at him, waiting patiently for him to speak. "Well…your father, my prince. He is in quite a state— " he broke off, not sure of what to say.

Legolas frowned. "What do you mean?"

The other guard finally found his voice. "He is succumbing to grief, my prince."

Legolas bit back a gasp. "I must go to him. Where is he?"

"Try his chambers, my prince. He rarely leaves there now."

Legolas nodded. "Hannon lle."

They stepped back to let him through. As he heard the doors close after him, he pulled his hood up once more.

He padded quietly through the empty throne room and into the passage past the Healer's area that led to the stairs. As he passed the door to the Healer's rooms, it flew open and a dark haired she Elf rushed out, colliding with him and sending them both to the ground. Legolas flinched as the familiar pain lanced through his head and he recalled who she was.

The she Elf stood and held out a hand to help him up. "I am sorry, my lord, I did not know anyone was out here. I am so— " she broke off when he rose, but did not release her hand. "My lord?"

"Herani?" With his free hand, the prince pulled back his hood and Herani gasped. "Legolas…" Tears sprang into her eyes as she raised her hand to his face, as if to assure herself that he was really there. "Oh Legolas…"

She pulled him into a tight embrace. "Oh Legolas, they told us you were dead…" she murmured.

"I know," he said gently, "But they were wrong." he pulled back and brushed the tears from her cheeks. "It is alright, my friend."

She shook her head. "No, Legolas, it is not. I know not what it is, but things have not been alright here for quite a while. I feel you are not safe here, my prince. Maybe you should not be here."

Legolas unconsciously pulled his hood back up, "No, Herani. I need to see my father. I know he is ill."

She nodded sadly, "Aye, he is. I was on my way up to check on him and bring him some healing tea. You can come with me if you wish."

He caught her hand gently as she turned away. "Thank you, mellon nìn."

She smiled and gave him a quick kiss on the forehead, "I am glad you are not dead, Legolas." She whispered, before turning and leading the way upstairs.

He followed silently, thinking over her earlier words. 'Maybe you should not be here…' He had sensed it too, at the gates…

He mentally shook himself as she knocked on the first heavy wooden door they came to, opening it quietly and stepping into the king's spacious quarters.

"My king? I have more— "

"Just put the herbs over there and leave me." Thranduil's voice growled from the chair he was seated in, his back turned to the door. Legolas' breath caught at how weak his father sounded.

"Of course, my lord." She paused, "You have a visitor, sire," she continued carefully.

"You know that I wish to be left in peace." The king growled again.

"Yes, sire, but I think you should see him. I understand that it is quite important he speak only with you."

A heavy sigh sounded from the chair, "Very well, send him in." Legolas smiled gratefully at his friend.

"Good luck," she mouthed silently before backing out of the room and closing the door. Legolas cleared his throat loudly to announce his presence. One thing he remembered about his father was that he did not like to be caught off guard.

"Well, if you wish to speak to me, I suggest you come around where I can see you. I do not speak with faceless strangers."

Legolas smiled slightly and walked over, rounding the chair and standing in front of his father, saddened by how wasted and weak the king appeared.

Thranduil's eyes narrowed. "Who are you and what do you wish to say?" he barked.

Legolas' hands trembled as they moved towards his hood. "Ada…"

-

Wow…you guys really went mad with the reviews last chapter!! But I appreciate every single one!! And hugs to everyone who reviewed twice!! :)

-

Review replies::

MoroTheWolfGod: Does that answer your question? ;) I guess they were closer than you thought… Hehehe! Glad you're enjoying!! Hope you liked this one too! And thanks for reviewing twice! Yay!! =)

Lefty: I did kinda make it seem like that, didn't I? Hmmm…some Elves have different opinions it seems… *evil snigger* Glad you liked that part! I was debating for ages whether to put it in or not, but I guess it worked okay!! :) I'm sorry to keep you waiting in anticipation for so long, but I'm sure you know how life gets sometimes…once I get back to college I should be regular again! Hope you liked! =)

DXPrincess: Awh you reviewed twice! Thank you!! :) Wait, what do you mean knowing me you have no reason to be?!?! I resent that…actually, it's true, so I don't! Hehehe!! *blush* You think I wrote it well?? ***BANG*** Oh there goes my head again… Shoot now I have to clean it off the screen or I can't see what I'm typing…wldh&w%erwb*o!!…see what happens when I can't see the screen? *sigh* Hope you liked anyway and more soon! ;)

Alice7: Oh no! Don't throw Orli at the cat! I know it wasn't actually Orli…you know what I mean! I hope the cat didn't shred him… ;) Shoot yourself?? I don't think you want to be doing that mate! (No I really think I do…) Why?? You didn't. I know that cos you posted AAP today! Mwahahaha! Yeah Johnny is cool isn't he? *sigh* Anyway hope you liked!! =)

Sirith: I'm sorry!! Getting you mixed up with someone else obviously!! Forgive me? Is the weather cold in Canada yet? My uncle lives in Yellowknife and he's always saying how cold it is…I used to take German classes in school and me and my friend are always going around saying 'danke' and 'wie gehts?' Everyone looks at us like we're mad! Six hours of homework? OMG! You have my sympathies…Is 12th grade your last year? (I'm so ignorant…) Thanks for the lovely compliments!! Hope you enjoyed! =)

Ivory Novelist: You liked the fight scene?? Wow I usually suck at fight scenes… thanks!! :) Random Elf dude! I like it! Hehehehe! I'm sorry I haven't reviewed in ages I've been off the net for about three days or something…I'll do it soon! But you know I love every word of all your fics anyway right? ;) And yes, there must be fluff…the fic cannot be without fluff!! ;) Anyway hope you liked! *Hugs* =)

Shandrial: Three reviews?? Thank you so much!! Hehehe! You're way too good to me! :) Hahahaha!! The stature! I love it! I couldn't stop laughing when I read that! You always make me do that…yeah I have to stop writing about wet Elves or I'll never get any reviews… Remind me about that later! *grabs bucket of water and walks towards Elves* *snigger* ;)

itarilde-elenastar: I don't think you're crazy! I'm really glad you like my fics so much! And took the time to review them!! :) And put me on your faves! Where would my ego be without you?? Don't worry, it's not quite over yet, I still have some very interesting plot twists to throw everyone off…*claps hand over mouth* Oops! Shouldn't have said that… Hehehe! ;) I'm glad you enjoyed it so far and I'll have more up soon! Thanks for all your lovely reviews!! *huggles* =)

Black Hawk: That is a bizarre noise… ;) I'm sorry, I know that was a horrible place to leave you!! Did this chapter make up for it or make it worse?? *cringe* I love that little smilie thing you do as well! It's so cute!! :) Thanks for the lovely compliments! *blush* Glad you liked and will have more up soon!! =)

angelbird12241: Awh thank you! I'm glad you're still enjoying the story! And I know it's been ages since I posted, but I have reasons!! ;) It'll get more regular in a couple of weeks once I get back to college… Thanks for the review!! =)

Pirate-chicha: You're welcome and thank you for all your reviews as well! I really like your stories! :) How are they coming? Any updates planned?? It's not a hint I swear!! ;) Hope you're still enjoying this anyways and I'll have more up soon! =)

ivorybrowneyes: Ooh that laugh was really evil!! *shiver* I know not much really happened in this one, but it's closer to happening now!! ;) Hehehehe! Anyway hope you're still enjoying and I'll have more up sooner next time!! :)

tamara: They're even closer now!! I know nothing happened, but it's coming… ;) Sorry once again that this took ages, I really need to pull myself up a bit!! :) But I'm glad you're still liking it and putting up with me! Yay!! I'll have more up soon I promise! Hope ya liked! ;)

Kit Cloudkicker: Two reviews! Yay!! Yeah I wanted to get the stinking thing in about the orcs, cos…well… they are!! ;) *giggle* Things will become more clear in the next few chapters with regards what happened and all that, but can't tell yet! =) You know how I am…a Silmerillian fic huh? Sounds good to me!! Tell me when it's up and I'll go have a look! Hope you liked this! :)

Jedi Cosmos: You'll find out soon I promise you! ;) At least they're there now… And thank you for understanding!! It's been a bit of a mad summer…but college in two weeks, so I'll be a bit more regular then!! Thanks for being so patient and I'll have more up soon!! Hope you liked! =)

Lolita: I'm sorry!! *cringe* Did this chapter help? At all?? *cringes more* Hehehe! I hope this chapter was okay and I promise you I'll have the next one up in a few days cos it's mostly written… (not a peace offering or anything) ;) Hope you liked this chapter and sorry again for the wait!! =)

tsugumiwolf: Wow, funky name! Did I spell it right?? ;) *gives some lozenges* How's that cough?? Hehehe! Glad you love it so far and thanks for the review!! I'll have more up in a few days! Hope you liked this too and take your lozenges!! :)

Conn JS1: Well, ya know me, I don't like being too serious!! ;) I'm funny that way… I'm glad you like the fic so far!! :) Always makes me smile when people say that! *blush* Sorry it took a while but hope it was okay! And thank you for the lovely review! More up soon!! :)

=

Phew! That took me nearly an hour!! Thanks everyone!! :) **HUGGLES**

=