A/N: Beta still hasn't been located; beta finding hounds have gone missing as well. I think she left me, anyone see her send her home. (Boy that sounds kinda pathetic) Anyone want to act in her place till I find her please email me, my address is listed on my URL.Thanks for the help and understanding. Remember point out any mistakes and they will be fixed.

Any 'Italic' means dream
'thought'
"Talk"

Review Replies:

Deana:(smiles) Glad U like, thanks for the review. Here's your next chapter, hope you like.

HarryEstel: Oh their troubles are only beginning. (Evil laugh. Bug flies in throat. (cough cough) more evil laughter.) Hehe. Glad you like here's the update.

viggomaniac- (blush in embarrassment) Oops, sorry bout those. I tried to keep that from happening. Oh I don't mind I actually encourage people to point out my mistakes. Thanks much for telling me, I fixed them now, but like I said my beta has vanished from the face of the planet. I think she ran off to Mars or something. (Shrugs) Reads rest of review Hmm, (sing-song) I'll never tell. I'll never tell. (Hehe) You'll have to wait to find out just like all the others. As for Elrohir…well the A/N at the end of ch.2 explains it and I did declare it AU (mostly to cover my tail for these sort of things) But the way I see it Elladan, Elrohir, and Aragorn ran to Legolas's rescue without help (again) and someone had to go back and tell the healers to get ready. Then again when those four are involved the healers are probably on call at all times. Thanks much for the review and error pointing out.

Elven Kitten: yes, poor ittle 'Ro. And it only gets worse from here on. (hehe) Glad U like here's your update. Hope you like.

Chapter 3: Father's Troubled Heart

Walk, walk, walk, turn. Walk, walk, stop. Stare out window, nothing there. Walk, walk, turn. Sit on bed and think for half a second. Stand. Walk, walk, walk, turn, walk, walk, walk, turn. (A/N: Boy I'm dizzy)

The sounds of pacing and a worried father could be heard in the hallway. Elrond was sure of it, his footsteps were sounding loud even in his ears, but what more could he do? All three of his sons were out in the dark, evil, woods of Mirkwood, and knowing how trouble prone his children and Legolas were they were bound to have problems. 'What if something happened?' asked a distant voice in the back of his mind. 'Any number of things could go wrong. They tend to turn reckless when the lives of their friends come into play in these dangerous games of life and death.'

'Silence!' Elrond mentally hissed. He would not think that way; he had to believe they were fine.

Elrond paced the floor of his room in the palace. Three days had passed and still no word from any of the elf lords children. Upon hearing of his son's kidnapping Thranduil had sent out patrols to search for the missing prince and his captor, but so far nothing had been found. Elrohir had been the one to deliver the disturbing message only to leave shortly after giving it. He had gone back out into the wilds to aid in the search with his brothers.

Thranduil had begun to fall into depression as there was no news of any findings not even so much as a ransom note had been found, a common find when there was a kidnapping.

Looking out the window he was standing near he watched the gates open up and a rider race through the enchanted doors. He immediately recognized it to be Elrohir. Elrond left at a dead run seeking out Thranduil.

Thranduil was sitting in his private study staring blankly out the small window. He was thinking about many things all of which had one thing in common, his missing son. All the same thoughts repeated constantly in his head.

Who had done this? Why Legolas? What did they want? Were they working for Sauron or on their own? What could he do that he hasn't done three times before? What vital clues was he missing? Was Legolas alright or being tortured endlessly? How long before they found him? Was his beloved son even alive? The questions were almost unending and when they did they circled again. The Elven king had eaten little food and taken even less sleep. Every time he closed his eyes he saw the most horrific scenes: Bloody corpses, deadly tortures, poisons. Once he had even dreamed Legolas had escaped only to die in his arms at his doorstep the murderer never known and never caught.

That particular dream shook him to the core so much that he had sought out Elrond in the dead of night to decipher its meaning.

FLASHBACK

King Thranduil hurried through the halls of his home his slipper covered feet making scarcely a sound on the stone floor. He was heading towards Lord Elrond's room, hoping that the Elf was still awake. He thought back to what had woken him at such a late hour of the night. Try as he might he could not erase the visions the horrid nightmare had brought to him.

In his dream he saw Legolas. He was running from something, though he could not see what it was that frightened his son. Legolas was trying to say something to him, but he could not hear. When suddenly, Legolas lurched forward, stumbling over his own two feet and falling face first into the ground. A white arrow sticking out the middle of his back like a flag.

…Dream…

'Legolas tried to stand and painfully forced himself to his feet. Thranduil could clearly see the pain and fear written in his eyes, he wanted nothing more than to take that away. Thranduil wanted to run to him, but found he couldn't, he could only watch as two more arrows pierced his sons back.

"No." he whispered in disbelief.

Again Legolas fell and again he stood, but his movements were slower with each time. He was loosing, dieing and all Thranduil could do was watch. Again he tried to race to his side, but no matter how hard he tried he could not reach his son's side. He could only stand by helplessly as Legolas tried to run from his unknown assailant. A shadow moved nearby taking on a human form, but had no face. Only two bright red slits formed near the top of his head that could only be described as eyes. A spiked club appeared in his hand. The weapon looked as if it had seen better days. Rusted spikes that were hook shaped at the ends protruded from random spots near the top of the old splintering wood.

"No don't." said Thranduil, realizing what was about to happen.

Thranduil watched in horror as the shadow raised the club above Legolas's unprotected back. The club came down and connected with flesh with a sickening thud and crunch of the inch thick spikes breaking bone. Legolas cried in pain. The only sound Thranduil had heard through out the dream. The mighty Elf King pulled at the invisible restraints, but no amount of struggling could release him.

"Please stop." he begged, seeing the pain in Legolas's eyes.

Again the club came down, this time it struck Legolas's side. Blood began to fill his mouth and dribble down the young prince's chin.

"Stop!" yelled Thranduil and the invisible bonds were broken.

In a blind fury engulfed the Elven King as he raced to attack the shadow that dared harm him son. He wanted nothing more than to beat the creature within an inch of his life. He wanted to torture him to no end, wanted him to feel the pain his son suffered, and die a slow and painful death. Unfortunately he would never get that chance. The shadowed man disappeared the second Thranduil took his first swing at him.

All the anger and hatred disappeared only to be replaced with worry, panic, and sadness at the sight of his boy. Legolas was lying helpless on the ground, his blood quickly turning the ground red. The blood was so much it nearly made him sick, looking at it he couldn't help but think how much a body could stand to loose.

Kneeling down he felt the blood soak through his leggings, staining them a darker shade of green. Gently he rolled his son over till his head rested on his lap. At the sight Thranduil could have cried. His face was whiter than the winter snow causing the bright blood rolling and bubbling out of his mouth to stand out greatly in contrast.'

…End Dream…

That was when he woke up, unable to stand watching it any longer. He was grateful to find out it was a dream, but still sometimes dreams held a merit of truth in them somewhere, and though he had no powers of foresight like in the other Elven kingdoms it still made him worry even more.

Next thing he knew he was in front of the room Lord Elrond was staying in. Looking down he saw light coming from under the door.

Taking a deep breath he hoped his guest wasn't asleep as he knocked on the wood door.

"Elrond are you awake I need to speak with you. It's important."

By now Thranduil was beginning to think that he was being simply paranoid and in all honestly was feeling a little foolish for asking Elrond about a dream, but he quickly reminded himself it was for his son that he was there in the first place. The sound of rustling could be heard on the other side of the door.

"Yes, Thranduil what is the problem?" asked a somewhat sleepy Elrond, but Thranduil knew it wasn't because he had disturbed his rest, but rather the lack there of.

"Elrond have you had any visions as of late?"

Elrond sadly sighed, "No Thranduil, I'm afraid I have not, though I would give anything to know even the slightest of detail." Elrond stepped aside motioning his friend to come in "Why do you ask?" Elrond closed the door behind him.

Thranduil took a deep breath before starting "My friend I had the most terrifying nightmare I have ever had in my entire life."

Elrond sat on the bed his worry increasing as Thranduil told his tale. By the end the Mighty King was at his wits end and trying desperately to hold back his emotion and maintain a since of calm. He did not want to appear weak in front of anyone no matter who they may be.

"What does it mean?" he asked the wise Elf Lord.

"It could mean many things or nothing." said Elrond it sounded harsh even to his ears. In all honesty he didn't want to say the obvious meaning behind the dream, but then again could he really give false hope to a desperate father. To do so can sometimes backfire and make things worse than they would have been if he had said nothing. Elrond had learned that hard lesson a long time ago, when he was faced with a very simaler situation.

"Are you sure you haven't been having visions, you always do."

"As I said before I have seen nothing on the fate of your sons or the fate my own."

"Can't you summon something?"

"Visions can't be called upon they come when they come and aren't completely reliable. They only show what could be."

By now Thranduil's emotions could no longer be held back. "Can't you do anything!" he yelled angrily

"Don't you think I've tried!" Elrond yelled back his own worry coming forward as anger. "Thranduil I care for Legolas as if he were my own and I hate feeling this helpless." Elrond calmed down as his voice softened, "My own sons are out there too. When Elrohir left three days ago that was the only news I had that they were fine, but that feels so long ago." Elrond's eyes wondered to the window as they gazed up at the starry night sky.

"I am sorry."

Elrond looked back at Thranduil who had found a spot on the floor the object of his attention. "I am sorry to have disturbed you. I did not mean to become angry it's just…"

"Thranduil, mellon-nin," Elrond interrupted, "I understand."

Thranduil turned to leave as he walked to the door he heard Elrond speak.

"Thranduil, if I had had a vision and knowing what they normally mean would you still want to know?"

Thranduil stood there staring at the closed door his hand hovering just above the knob. Did he want to know? He asked himself. The dream flashed briefly across his vision.

"No, I probably don't." he said, then left.

…Back to Present… (A/N: man that took longer than I originally thought.)

Elrond didn't think he could run so fast, if it weren't for the desperate news Elrohir held he would have never even given thought to it. A sharp turn around a corner and a near collision with one of the house servants he spotted Thranduil's private study at the end of the hall. Never had the short hallway seemed like miles, possibly even leagues, away from where he stood, but at last he reached his destination. At last he was in front of the door to the study. As he reached to turn the handle the door swung open and caught him off guard. Now, Elrond had learned thousands of years ago how to fight; war and survival made it essential to learn in order to live. Even though he now lived behind a desk with mounds of paper work that came with the job of being leader of Rivendell he still kept up with his old skills by sparring occasionaly with Glorfindel or one of his sons. Fortunately all that skill was still useful. Automatically he jumped back to avoid being hit by the thick door.

Thranduil emerged from the room having seen Elrohir riding through the front gates not only a moment before.

"Did you see him?" asked the Elven King almost happily as he left Lord Elrond in his tracks

As Thranduil hurried for the court yard a mix of emotions flooded his heart sadness, fear, worry, and a great curiosity of Elrohir's news. What if it was bad news? What if it was good? What if he came back to tell them the search was hopeless? It was as if he was divided in two, half of him said the news was good in that they had found Legolas, the other was saying they may have found the young prince, but in what condition? Was the main question. The poor Elf was almost afraid to ask what had become of his son. Almost.

Elrond hurried to catch up to Thranduil as they both dashed through the halls. They were both desperate to know and the other Mirkwood Elves knew of their plight and made room for the fathers as they ran madly through. Had it been any other day the sight would have been comical. After all how often did one see their king and a neighboring lord dashing through the halls, ducking servants and guards that were in the way, vaulting over banisters, and nearly tripping down the stairs?

At last they reached the open court yard awaiting Elrohir's arrival. Now they waited and while they waited anxiety and a desperate need for knowledge for better or for worse began to grow.

Elrohir called his horse to a halt and slid off the animal's sleek back.

Thranduil's blood pulsed in his ears and for a moment that was all he could hear as he silently watch Elrohir walk up to him. The Elf's features did not go unnoticed. His eyes were downcast and misty in what could have been tears, his hands were balled into tight fists, his back was straight, but with a slight slump as if in controlled sorrow. Young Elrohir seemed tense and upset about something and all were desperate to know what. However, when he at last noticed where he was his lips turned up into a smile that turned King Thranduil's thoughts to happier, more hopeful thoughts.

"We found him." was all the second born son of Elrond needed to say for all tension to be released and allowed the mighty king of Mirkwood to breathe fresh air as hope swelled within.

That night all would sleep a little better knowing their prince was on his way home, and these three words would be the highlight of the elven city. However, later they may all wish they had never found him.

A/N: Wow a long one I normally keep these about 3-4 pages on Microsoft Word, but I just couldn't stop once I got going on this one.I try to have these updates about one week apart, but school's almost out and we all know what that means.

(Scary music) EXAMS! (Scream)

So yeah, since it's in my best interest that I pass with at least a B average I might not be able to update regularly until the end of the month. I will still be updating every once in a while just don't count on one popping up every week. Sorry, but school has to come before writing. At least that's what my mom says.

I also have my grandmother visiting for the next 2 wk. So don't expect too much from me. I'll try to update as soon as I can.

Till Next We Meet.

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