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I've finally got internet access whenever I'm on my computer! It's slow, but I've got it, so I've no excuse, and can update regularly.

This story started as a one-shot, which grew until it would not leave me alone-- I've posted the one-shot as 'In the Darkness Dwells' if anyone's interested.

Chapter 21 Change their plumage

Jarthey inclined her head slightly, and smirked when the move was returned. "I don't think you're supposed to do that."

"It's a show of respect," he murmured softly.

She snorted and shifted her weight, her muscles unconsciously tensing and coiling as if she were one of the two being so fervently watched by so many. "You are here to see them, or to speak with me?"

"Both." He adjusted his cloak which served as a half-mask and tried to slouch a bit more.

"They are incredible together," she mused.

He watched them, dodging, deflecting, stopping, starting… "An intricate dance," he agreed. "Such perfection is unusual, isn't it?"

"It is. They read each other well, unaware of doing so."

"Legolas had a cut on his cheek last month."

"She had a cut on the back of her wrist," she countered softly. "Hers was worse, his more visible."

"Equal effect."

"Yes. I dare say neither noticed the wounds until they were done."

"Who wins?"

"Sometimes she does, sometimes he does. Never the same way twice… and they always take quite a while for it to be decided."

Sapphire eyes widened as another dagger appeared when Silrinil's last one had been lost. "How many blades does she carry?"

"I've seen her draw eight—she carries more when they go into the wood. At least eleven."

"Why?"

"She was here when the she-elves in the hall were taught to throw daggers—I've no doubt she learned at least that much here, before she left." She shrugged. "A quick throw works just as well as an arrow, if the thrower is artful, and doesn't require the same time."

"She is quite good with her arrows," he murmured.

"Now. He helped her with that."

"Oh?"

"Of course."

He glanced at her sharply. "You say of course…"

"Yes," she agreed softly.

"Then you know why she left?"

"I have an idea," she murmured, before looking at him, her eyes hard and filled with warning. "But you I will not tell. Such things are too close to that which keeps the blood flowing to be trifled with."

"Has it to do with him?"

Jarthey shrugged, not so much an admission that she didn't know as that even if she knew, she wouldn't let him know even that much. "If it does, he isn't aware of it."

"But she is?"

"Of course she knows why she left, Thranduil!" she rolled her eyes. "How could she not?"

"And the chip on her shoulder?"

"Still there, but… changed. Making her into who she was has forced her to release it—the safety of being a stranger was stripped from her, making it so she would have to explain herself much more than she was inclined to do had she continued being so close-mouthed and angry-eyed."

"Is that a good thing?" he mused, not really caring if she had a response or not.

"It could be… and it might not be. Birds may change their plumage, but they're still the same bird."

"Are they?"

They looked at each other for a long moment, then turned their attention back to the spar going on.

"He has learned well."

"You sent him as messenger so he would learn. He knows that."

"She learned by a harsher route, I've heard."

"Yes… but that method has its values, too. She is quicker to adapt than he is—her experience is more than equal to his."

"Well matched, then."

"Definitely."

He nodded and glanced at his other son, where he was leaning against a smoothed wall. "How is Elleri doing?"

"He should be a captain now, but because Hathien is behind they won't give him the title for a while, yet."

Thranduil shook his head, but sighed.

She smiled slightly. "He won't be a Captain forever. When Legolas gives it up, he'll continue for a few years—maybe a century—before finding another interest."

"You really think so?"

"Yes."

"Do you see Legolas retiring anytime soon? He has been a captain longer than any of the others, save you."

She chuckled softly, and watched the prince in question give his opponent a somewhat feral grin before leaping into the air—a rather impressive feat that startled her for an instant, which he used to his advantage, pinning her quickly. She jerked around, gaining enough space to elbow him harshly, jerking her head back, catching him squarely on the chin, snapping his head back, gaining her release. Her blades crossed at his throat. Sapphire met stormy grey, before a small grin crossed his lips as he closed his eyes, inclining his head slightly. From their place at the periphery, they couldn't hear whatever words of praise or surrender he uttered, but she withdrew her blades, sheathing them with a curt bow of her head to him.

Jarthey smiled as they began picking up their weapons. "When his wife begins to worry about him as he wanders, he will restrict his duties—taking over as commander of the troops, overseeing things for you if you'll allow that, but he'll not go on patrol any longer."

Thranduil lifted a brow. "I can't see Legolas with a wife… much less one who would dare ask him to give up the Service."

"She wouldn't ask, nor would she tell or beg. She will simply worry, and he will make the decision on his own."

"Kireon didn't."

Her eyes darkened, her gaze falling for a moment. "No," she agreed softly. "Anymore than I would have thought to ask, though I worried." She snorted. "Valar, how I worried. I worried more than those who have always waited—because I knew, I knew that things were getting worse." She laughed bitterly. "But he knows me, he knows… and he will not leave her to become me."

Thranduil glanced sharply at her, then stared at the two elves talking at the side of the field as Silrinil replaced her daggers and Legolas watched her in interest. "Are you certain you cannot be convinced to speak on her reason for leaving? I've gotten the feeling Legolas knows."

She snorted before she could stop herself. When he glanced at her, she tried to look innocent as she shrugged. "He doesn't know."

"But he may know something more than you."

"She may have spoken more with him about this, but he doesn't know."

"And you do?"

"I'm pretty sure of it," she agreed softly.

"Though she hasn't spoken to you… as far as I know, ever?"

"We speak on occasion, but briefly. We understand each other."

"Do you?"

"Well enough, Thranduil. After all, just being female in this line of work gives us quite a bit in common."

"A certain independence and disregard for the rules?" he suggested dryly.

"Not so much," she shrugged, "though that is true. I was thinking more along the lines of following our fathers' footsteps. Mine was one of your Captains for centuries, and trained me well so I could defend myself while he was away. Her father was a warrior… though I don't know that she remembers."

"You never did talk him into training anyone, did you?"

She shook her head, regretfully. "No. And it's such a loss, Thranduil… though she has picked up a fair bit of it." She shifted her weight a bit uneasily. "What did Elrond tell you?"

Thranduil scowled at her.

She laughed. "Come now, what else would you 'urgently' need to send Legolas to Imladris for, with 'Ashes'?"

"It was Elleri's suggestion."

"Though if he hadn't made it, you would have coaxed Legolas to your desire, or simply outright ordered him to take her. Well? What did the distinguished half-elven have to say about her?"

"I rather think he had suspicions he didn't voice," he grumbled, looking pointedly at her.

"I think, if we are right, it is best, for now, that you not know," she answered gently, reminding him for a moment that she was a very old, very wise she-elf. Who made a habit of studying people. "What did he say?"

"That she was loyal, troubled, but no direct danger to myself or my kin."

"That's it?" she asked dryly.

He snorted.

She laughed softly. "No wonder you were annoyed. Did Glorfindel bring any farther insight into her?"

"He did tell me a bit about her life as a wanderer…" he admitted, trailing off. With a shake of his head he lifted a hand to his temple. "I can't imagine the little elf who left going through all of that."

"She didn't," Jarthey murmured softly. "Because she was left behind the instant out of the halls, Thranduil. Ashes was born, Silrinil forced into memory… until you came and made her come forward."

"I was right to do so."

"Right or wrong, it is done, and you can only watch to see what happens. I must say, though, I prefer Ashes to the Lady that left."

Thranduil watched her walk away, and looked back in time to see one dark head between two light blond ones before they walked into the hall, heading back to the royal wing, no doubt. "As do I," he mused. "Valar forgive me."