The next morning, Legolas rose early again and went straight to the dining hall after dressing, so that he could search for one Elf in particular who he knew would be awake at that time. There were a few servants milling around and laying out breakfast foods, but the commanding officer of Mirkwood's army sat on his own at the table, picking idly at pieces of fruit. He appeared to be in deep reverie, for when his Prince took a seat at his side, he looked up quickly with a sharp breath of surprise.

"Sorry," Legolas said, noting absently that yesterday had started with that word also. "I did not mean to startle you."

"No matter," Alondir smiled. "Why are you not still abed? It is yet early."

"I could say the same to you," the child answered. "I was unable to sleep. It is always hard to do so when you know that something important is going to happen very soon."

"Today is indeed a very important day," the commander murmured. "Gwaihir is due to arrive in the next hour, and he will take your father to the Grey Havens to try and intercept your mother. How do you feel about that, penneth?"

"Nervous."

"That is understandable. There is no shame in fearing what the outcome will be," Alondir said.

"I know. Ada and I were talking about this last night," Legolas replied. "If I am honest, I do not wish to speak of Nana until much later on. Do you understand that?"

"You want to wait until you know."

The Prince smiled at the accurate reply. "Yes. Besides, there is something else that I want to discuss with you, which is also a reason behind my early rising. It is a question that I wanted to ask of my father last night and the night before, but I was unable to form the words – I think because I do not want to cause him further pain. May I ask you?"

"Ask away."

"What happened to Seregeth?"

"I am sorry?"

"What happened to Seregeth?" Legolas repeated. "I know that you went with Ada to the cottage, but I do not know how you realised that it was the place to look for me. And, I do not know to what fate my captor was condemned. I so want to, Alondir."

"How much has your father told you?" the commander asked slowly.

Legolas made a movement with his hands, and let out a deep sigh. "Not very much. In fact, hardly anything at all, though in fairness to him I have not asked. I thought that he would be reluctant to speak of it. His memories of the anger, fear and sadness that he must have felt would return, and I did not want that."

"Your consideration in the midst of your desperation for answers is admirable," Alondir said. "But I am unsure how much I can reveal without intruding upon your father's right to tell you what you want to know."

"Not all of it is want," Legolas replied quietly. "Some of it is need."

The commander was silent for a moment as he deliberated, but then he nodded slowly. "Very well. I will tell you what I can, but if I refuse to give you an answer at any time, I ask that you do not hold it against me."

Legolas nodded his agreement. "First of all, how did you know where I was? It may have taken you five weeks, but you did realise. How was it possible, when no-one even knew Seregeth? Did Amarth return to Mirkwood and admit to what he had done?"

"Not exactly," Alondir replied. He wondered how to work his way through this one – clearly the boy did not know Thalion's part in the ordeal. "There was one among us who had an…epiphany, you could say. He had a series of dreams which eventually led him to the knowledge of your whereabouts."

"Who was it?"

"An acquaintance of your father's."

Legolas frowned, but did not press the elder Elf. "When you arrived at Seregeth's cottage, was he still tied?"

"Yes."

"Did he tell you that I was being taken to Imladris? Is that why you came here?"

"No, that was just chance," Alondir answered. "We questioned him, demanding to know where you were; and it was a long tale indeed that he spun. All I will say is that he claimed you were…that he had…taken your life."

Legolas looked up sharply, his eyes wide with horror. "No. He told my father that I was dead? Alondir, how could he have done such a thing? Did Ada believe him? Please, say that he didn't."

"We all did," the commander whispered. He exhaled as the child's face whitened. "We all did, penneth, and that is why we came here. Being told that your life was no more affected us all, but of course, your father especially. We feared that he would follow in your mother's footsteps, and only the powers of Lord Elrond would be able to save him."

"I had no idea," Legolas murmured. "I knew that Ada must have been hurting, but I did not know just how much… Did he come close to fading?"

"It was lucky indeed that Glorfindel brought you straight here," Alondir replied, the meaning behind his words evident.

The Prince let out a deep breath and shook his head, struggling to believe how close he had come to losing his father before even finding him again. "There is one last question," he said quietly. "It is perhaps the one that I am most desperate for an answer to."

"What do you want to know?"

"When you left Seregeth, was he alive or dead?"

"Why do you want to know this?" Alondir asked, stalling as his mind whirled.

"I was a prisoner of his for over a month, and I am curious as to whether he was made to pay, or if he escaped without punishment. I want to know if he paid any price for hurting my family and I," Legolas said. "But also, when Glorfindel and the twins took me from the cottage, the last words that Seregeth spoke were ones which have stayed with me. He said…he promised to come after me. He swore to find me one day."

Alondir's heart constricted at the fear lacing the child's words. "Legolas, not much can reassure you against such a threat, but I will make a promise now, one that will be upheld by all of us. Whilst you are under our protection, no harm will come to you from anyone, and especially from Seregeth. He will never find you. And if he does, he will not live to tell the tale."

"Then, he is still alive?" Legolas whispered.

"I will not lie to you," Alondir replied. "When we left his cottage, he still lived."

The Prince looked away, unsure what to think, let alone what to say. Seregeth was still alive… But surely he would not be able to cause any more damage? After all, with the protection of Elrond, Glorfindel, Alondir and Thranduil, Legolas could be nothing but safe. Still, fear would linger on for a while yet. He would wake in the night after being beaten until he bled, and he would often find himself looking into a pair of blue eyes that spoke of cruelty and pain. Of course he would. To be able to move on immediately would be unnatural.

As the Elfling contemplated this, the doors to the dining hall opened and the twins came in, talking in quiet voices. Elladan appeared to be teasing Elrohir. They took seats at the table with their new friend; and Alondir rose fluidly, touching a reassuring hand to Legolas' shoulder. The two Mirkwood Elves shared a look that only they understood, before the commander moved away and left the large room.

"Good morning," Elladan said warmly. "I hope that you slept well last night. The storm did not keep you awake, did it?"

"Not exactly," Legolas replied, focusing his attention on the newcomers. "And yourselves?"

"I was quite content, but the same cannot be said for my brother here. Unfortunately, he has a slight…" Elladan flashed his twin a wicked smile. "…aversion to storms. He dislikes them very much."

"That jest died a long time ago," Elrohir sighed. Upon seeing the Elfling's blank expression, he explained: "Do you remember the cave that we took you to before coming here? Well, we had stayed there during a storm, and I panicked ever so slightly because we were outside."

"We had shelter," Elladan pointed out. "It could have been a lot worse. Glorfindel could have decided that he didn't want to share the cave, and forced us to sleep outside."

Legolas winced, remembering his own trauma. He felt a vague anger at Elladan for speaking so casually, before reminding himself that, in fairness, the other Elf did not know much of his imprisonment with Seregeth. As a distraction, he turned to Elrohir and said: "You should not feel ashamed if you were afraid. Ada told me that last night. I never liked storms either, you see."

"Your father sounds a clever Elf, but I doubt my brother will be seeking his advice," Elladan said, amused.

"Some fear him, but it is without reason," Legolas replied. "You probably caught him on a bad day, whenever it was that you…encountered his wrath. He can be somewhat temperamental."

Elrohir blinked at the Elfling's perceptiveness. "So I have seen. But to spare me future embarrassment, why don't you continue advising me about this fear and shame concept?"

Legolas humoured the twin, though he missed out most parts of his conversation with his father, wishing to keep it only between them. He did admit that the ruler of Mirkwood was afraid of spiders – quite by accident – and when the elder Elves both stifled laughter at the revelation, he begged them to carry it no further, angry with himself for letting the secret – no matter how trivial it was – slip.

"Please, don't tell anyone else," he said quickly. "My father only told me to make me feel better about my fear of the storm. I did not mean to betray his confidence."

"And we will not betray yours," Elladan replied. "However…"

"We could have some fun with it," Elrohir continued. "When this ordeal is well and truly over, and when moods are not so sad, we will show you how to have fun. You did not make a mistake in befriending us. Life is never dull."

Legolas made a soft noise of amusement, though it could well have passed for trepidation. "So I have heard. Lord Glorfindel has told me of your many escapades – and not with a smile on his face."

The twins started to laugh, but the sudden slamming of doors stopped them almost immediately. Commander Alondir ran back into the hall, his green eyes flickering in anticipation as he simply cried: "Gwaihir has arrived!" Legolas sat still for a moment as though frozen, trying to process this. It lasted only a second though, for he was suddenly up and running as quickly as he could after the warrior.

As he dashed along corridors and down steps, his heart pounded furiously against his chest like a drum, beating in time to the rhythm of his feet as they sped like wildfire over marble floors. Gwaihir was there, Gwaihir was there. He could not stop the words from playing over and over like a mantra, although he was swift to remind himself sharply that the Great Eagle's presence did not mean that Laerwen was saved.

"There," Alondir breathed unnecessarily as they reached the courtyard. "There he is."

There was only one place for Legolas to look. Elves were congregated all around, Elves from both Imladris and Mirkwood, watching the happenings. Elrond and Thranduil were standing in the middle of the courtyard, although the focus of all gazes was upon perhaps the mightiest bird to be seen upon the shores of Middle-earth: Gwaihir the Windlord, descendant of the great Thorondor. He stood golden in the sunlight, his long wings flexing as he spoke serenely with the two immortal rulers.

"Go forward," Alondir murmured.

Legolas did, hesitantly. He made his way carefully through the groups of Elves, not hearing the soft voices as they echoed above him. He reached his father's side, and although Thranduil's hand came down to rest on his shoulder, he did not look up to meet the silver eyes that he knew were upon him, for his own were fixed on the golden flecked ones of the Great Eagle.

"Greetings, young Prince," Gwaihir said softly.

Legolas glanced up at Thranduil, but the Elven-king only gave a small smile. "I…um…" He bit on the inside of his cheek, wondering at the strangeness of the situation. "Good morning, Lord Gwaihir. It is nice to meet you…"

The eagle bowed his majestic head as though in amusement as the boy fell silent. "It is indeed a pleasure to meet you, child. You have suffered greatly. I hope that the speed of my wings can ease your pain."

"Thank you," Legolas replied quietly. He looked at the curved beak and moved closer to his father, feeling only slightly safer as Thranduil's hand tightened on his shoulder.

"He will not hurt you," the King murmured.

"Alas, too often is the sharpness of my beak misleading," Gwaihir sighed.

Elrond smiled slightly at that. "It is, but I fear that we cannot stand here and exchange pleasantries until the sun goes down. It is vital that you reach the Grey Havens before Queen Laerwen does. Do you understand this, my friend?"

The great bird dipped his beak. "I do. I shall fly with all speed."

"I do not doubt that." Elrond turned to Thranduil, and continued: "It should not take you too long to get there. Bring your wife back, mellon-nin. Do not let her board that ship. I lost my Celebrían, and I would not have your family suffer the same pain that mine did."

The Mirkwood ruler held the elder Elf's gaze for a moment in silence, before kneeling so that he and his son were at eye level. "Legolas. I want you to know that I will try as hard as I can to bring her back to you. But I can make no promises. I do not want to give you false hope, for that would be cruel."

"You couldn't," the child replied softly. "Nothing is certain. I know that."

Thranduil pulled Legolas into a brief embrace, and kissed the top of the golden head. "Lord Elrond will look after you in my absence, although I do not hope to be away for too long. If luck is with us, I will be back in the next few days."

"I do not think that you should rely on luck," the Prince murmured. "It rarely comes when it is needed most. Ada, you must go. The longer you stay here, the closer Nana gets to the Grey Havens."

"Come with me, penneth," Elrond said gently, leaning down and lifting Legolas into his arms. As Thranduil rose, he smiled slightly at him. "Your son speaks the truth. Go. Go with the blessings of the Valar, and may they be with you on your path."

The Sinda hesitated, wondering with some bitterness just how much trust he could place in the Valar to guide and help him after all they had put his family through so far. But then he looked into the face of his only child, and the thought was banished from his mind. They had returned Legolas to him. Surely that had to mean something. Surely if they had not been entirely benevolent they would not have-

'By Eru, stop thinking!' Thranduil chided himself silently. 'Just go and find Laerwen before it is too late.'

As if reading the Elf's thoughts, Gwaihir folded his wings and settled himself down on the ground for easier mounting. A little way away, Legolas watched in fascination – and also with a small bit of envy – as his father jumped fluidly onto the majestic bird's golden back. He wished that he was going also, but the thought was no more than fleeting. The whole purpose of this was to save Laerwen, not for leisure.

The Prince bit on his lower lip, his eyes wide as Gwaihir flexed his wings, waiting patiently as the Elves moved out of the way. "Lord Elrond, will Ada be safe?" he asked softly.

"Of course – providing he does not pull any feathers out."

Legolas looked up sharply, wondering if the Peredhil's serene words were jesting or serious. He opened his mouth to ask, but the question had not even formed in his mind when Gwaihir took to flight, his wings stretched out to their full span. He spiralled upwards in lazy circles for a few seconds, before soaring majestically away, a golden silhouette against the cerulean sky.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Two Days Later – The Grey Havens

"What did you see?" Thranduil called to Gwaihir, above the noise of rushing wind. "Your eyesight is better than mine up here, and you saw something which made you hasten."

"Indeed I did," the Great Eagle replied. "All I can say is that when we land, you must go to the harbour with all speed. Your wife is there."

The King felt his heart skip a beat, and his fingers unconsciously curled tightly around the aureate feathers beneath them. Like all Elves he had exceptional eyesight, and never before had it failed him. Though, so high in the sky, and with the afternoon sun right before him, he could only rely on Gwaihir's vision. But Laerwen was there, she was at the harbour. Did that mean she had already boarded the ship?

"No."

"What?"

"No. Not yet."

Thranduil blinked. He had not even realised that he had asked the question aloud. "Forgive me, my friend. I did not mean to be so abrupt with you."

"No matter," Gwaihir replied. "Hold on to me now. I am going to take you down, and I would very much like to return you to Imladris in one piece."

The Elf reflected absently that it would be nice, although his attention was focused elsewhere. The massive blue expanse far below was revealing itself to be a glittering ocean, its white waves foaming towards the shore like running horses. Golden sand stretched out for what seemed like miles – a beautiful tableau, but one that Thranduil had to harden his heart against, conscious of the sea longing that lay dormant in all his kind.

As the Great Eagle descended lower and lower in circles, the Elven ruler started to see clearly once more. The town of Mithlond lay below him; he could see the streets and houses, the Falathrim going about their daily business. Where was the harbour, though? Behind him. He turned his head, unconsciously letting go of his hold on Gwaihir, so eager was he to catch a glimpse of the Mirkwood Elves – moreover, his wife.

"Wait until we are lower before doing that," the Windlord cautioned. "I would not let you fall, but even so. Let us not take risks."

Thranduil resumed his hold with some reluctance, forcing his gaze away from the harbour. He could wait. He would wait. But Valar, it was so difficult, trying to control the burning desire to see what was happening. Surely it would not be long, though. They were getting closer and closer to the ground; and he could see Elves below looking and pointing upwards in awe at the sudden apparition.

"Hold on," Gwaihir reminded his passenger. "The landing will be gentle, but still…"

Barely hearing the words, Thranduil nodded. They were going down, down, down, skimming over the roofs of Elven houses, attracting cries of wonder from adults and children alike, sweeping just above a colourful market taking place in one of the streets; and then all of a sudden it was over. The Great Eagle had landed in a plaza next to a marble fountain of ships and sea birds, and was nodding his feathered head at those who had gathered.

Thranduil paused for a moment to calm his growing fears, before swinging himself down to the floor. He swayed slightly, unused to firm ground, although Gwaihir put out a wing to steady him. "Thank you, my friend," he said quickly, not just meaning the support.

"Thank me when it is over," the Windlord urged. "Go now."

As though the crowd knew what the foreign Elf was going to do, they moved apart as one, leaving the path that led to the harbour free. He nodded briefly at them, before turning on his heel and running from the plaza. He had never been to Mithlond before, but he knew, perhaps intuitively, where it was that he had to go, where his wife's ship was waiting.

Every step that he took made his heart pound just that little faster, and he raised a hand to the pendant around his neck, looking for some comfort. None came. The salty air drifting in from the sea was strong, and Thranduil tried not to breathe it in – the scent which was so different to his forest made his head hurt. But at least the increasingly potent smell meant that he was getting closer.

With no reason for doing it other than instinct, the Elf left the main path he was following and took a side street to the left. Only a few steps in and somehow it seemed far removed from anything else he had encountered so far – it was quieter, filled with a grief that he knew had come from Elves seeking Valinor. It was long, thin, but at the far end of it he could see glittering water…a pier…white masts fluttering in the breeze…

They were moving. The masts were moving! Thranduil breathed an incoherent word of despair, increasing his already swift pace. He ran as though his life depended on it – which was not far from the truth – but the narrow street did not seem to be getting any shorter. He did not seem to be getting anywhere. In his suddenly terrified mind, he was frozen, unable to save the woman that he loved.

"Laerwen, please," he whispered. "Do not go. Don't…"

And then he was through, he was out of the side street and into the open air, jumping almost recklessly down the stone steps of the harbour, his heart exploding painfully as the white ship drifted peacefully away. A robed figure stood at the end of the pier, and he watched silently as the desperate Elf raced towards him. His ancient eyes flicked out briefly to the departing vessel, but they came back almost immediately to rest on the newcomer.

"Stop the ship," Thranduil breathed. "Stop it, bring it back."

"I cannot," Círdan said slowly.

"Of course you can! You are the Lord of the Havens. If you can send it away, you can bring it back," the Mirkwood ruler snapped, forgetting in his fear and anger to offer any respect to the ancient Elf before him. "My wife is on there. She should not be, I-

"I will forgive you your presumptuousness, for your grief is inherent," Círdan interjected in a soft voice. "The loss of a loved one can affect us, but you must accept that-

"By the black blood of Sauron, I must accept nothing!" Thranduil spat. "Bring the ship back, or so help me I will do it myself."

"It is not my right to deny Valinor to those who seek it. Nor does that right belong to you," the Shipwright admonished. "To halt their journey now would be an act of cruelty."

"But they are still in sight. They can continue to the Undying Lands, all I need is to tell my wife that our son lives, that she is sailing for nothing," the blond Elf said almost desperately. "I need her, and I will stop the ship if you do not. I will do what it takes. Valar, I will even swim out there and climb on board."

Círdan stood a little straighter, and looked at the Sinda with eyes that were surprisingly gentle in the stern visage. "You would not reach the ship, even if you could swim as a fish. It has gone."

"But can you not… I do not know…" Thranduil shook his head as though struggling to believe that this was happening. "Send a signal of sorts. Have a gull take a message. Please, anything. My wife is out there, and if I lose her, it means that my young son will grow up without his mother. Do not subject him to that fate."

"It has gone," Círdan repeated softly.

His eyes stinging with tears, Thranduil sank to his knees before the elder Elf, bowing his head so that a curtain of hair fell down in front of his face. "My Lord, please. What more can I say? What can I do? I do not ask much – only a chance to rebuild my family, to bring the ones whom I love into something that resembles an old and lost life, even if it is but a replica of what was."

"You are not the first to try and stop one of my ships, nor will you be the last," Círdan said. He reached down and raised Thranduil's chin so that their eyes met, and he felt an ache in his soul at the grief in those azure pools. "Would that I could bring her back, and ease your pain. But alas, I can only give you advice."

"My Lord?"

"Love your wife forever, young one. Do not stop loving her," the ancient Elf said quietly. "But love your son too. He will need you, and you him. At times you will both find it a challenge to get through the days – unbearable even – but life can continue. Maybe you will find another lady who-

"There could be no other," Thranduil replied hollowly.

Círdan gave a benign smile, and gently pulled the Sinda up. "Rise. You must return to your home. Tell your son what words I have spoken, but tell yourself too. Do not forget them."

As the Lord of the Havens turned and walked away, his robes flapping in the sea breeze, Thranduil drew Laerwen's pendant over his head and carried it to the edge of the pier. He stood there with only the ocean stretching out before him, his eyes fixed on the ship that he could see moving towards the horizon. His wife was on there. So near, and yet so far away.

As the realisation dawned of just how close he had been, angry tears blurred the Elf's vision, and he started to scream silently at himself. He could have done things differently – said his goodbyes in Rivendell with more haste, pushed himself faster through Mithlond. But it was over now. He had lost the woman he loved, and Legolas… Legolas has lost his mother.

But had Círdan not said that life can go on? Thranduil shook his head slowly. For himself, maybe it could. He had lost his own mother and elder brother as a child, and his father not long after. His son had even been taken for a time. He knew how to work through the painful emotions that came with such tragedy. Did Legolas, though? The boy had already suffered greatly in his short life, and had certainly known grief. But he had not experienced this.

'He is strong. Do not underestimate his strength,' the immortal thought. 'He will shed many tears when I return alone, but he has already resigned himself to the fact that the worst could happen. He accepted her departure as a possibility, so maybe…maybe there is hope for the future.'

A gull cried mournfully overhead, and Thranduil followed its wheeling path for a moment with his eyes. To have wings would be a blessing. They could take you so far away from the grief and pain that comes for free with life, they could ease so much suffering. But such escape was only granted to the Elven race for a high price – as Mirkwood's ruler knew.

He exhaled, and turned his attention back onto the pendant still held in his hand. He outstretched his arm over the pier, and uncurled his fingers to reveal dazzling crystals on a fine silver chain. Cerulean water sparkled below, silently calling to him, telling him to drop the necklace into the depths, where it would be forever hidden from his sight, where he would not be able to look at it and see his wife's face. But he could not let it go. His body would not obey his mind's wishes.

'Drop it,' Thranduil told himself. 'Drop it now.'

It felt like the right thing to do, it really did. And he wanted to release the pendant and bury it beneath the water, maybe as a hidden mark to where he had finally lost his wife. But he physically could not. In frustration he threw his gaze down to the necklace to glare at it, but what he saw reflected in those crystal prisms made him start. Laerwen.

He wanted to turn around, to prove to himself that she was not real, that it was nothing but an image conceived by his grief stricken mind. But images do not move. This one was. Its reflection was walking sedately towards the edge of the pier, to the lone Elf, and it was only getting bigger and bigger. Thranduil could take it no more. He turned sharply. His eyes widened. His heart skipped a beat.

"I hope that you were not thinking of throwing that beautiful necklace into the sea."

The Elven ruler took a breath to regain his composure, before drawing himself up to his full height, and nodding slowly. "I fear so, my Lady. Why do you ask?"

"Because, my Lord, I recall asking you to give it to our son. It is not much good to him at the bottom of the ocean, is it?"

Thranduil winced, despite himself. That promise had suddenly slipped his mind. "I do remember that, yes. But I hope you will find it in yourself to forgive me, struck by grief as I was at my lady's apparent departure."

Silence fell on the pier as silver eyes met violet, and the gaze was held for what felt a lifetime to both King and Queen. But then as one they dropped all pretences and ran to meet, all but falling into each other's arms as they laughed and cried in disbelief, shock, joy. At the far end of the harbour Círdan was watching the reconcilement with a benevolent smile upon his ancient face.

"He said that you were gone," Thranduil breathed, brushing loose strands of hair behind his wife's ear. "He made me believe that you were on the ship, that you were already…"

"I know, my love, I know," Laerwen answered gently. "And I hope that you can forgive me now for making you suffer so. I wanted our reunion to be sweet."

"It is, but why did you not get on the ship?" the blond Elf pressed. "Did you know the truth?"

"Not until I arrived here. Círdan espied Gwaihir, and a gull brought a message down to tell us everything, to tell me that Legolas is alive. I had been waiting for a sign, praying for one; and it came none too soon," Laerwen explained breathlessly. "Is it true? Is our child really safe?"

"He has lost weight and is a little subdued, but he is well." Thranduil took his wife's hands and held them tightly, his eyes shining with joy as he tried to tell her everything. "When you hear what Legolas has endured, you will be so proud of him. You have to know and understand that he did suffer greatly, but he survived it all. Laer, he is the bravest Elf I know, and I am so proud to be able to call him my son. Seeing you will heal any wounds that he has left, I know it. He has been praying for your return, and-

"Thranduil, hush," Laerwen laughed. "You have a tendency to speak too swiftly when you are excited, and no-one else can get a word in edgeways."

"I am sorry, I just…" The King looked out at the ship still visible on the horizon, and shook his head slowly. "I have my family back. I know that in only a few days, my wife and my child will be with me, and that is such an overwhelming thought, because not so long ago I did not think it possible, but now it is. And you are right, I am talking too much, I-

Laerwen moved forwards and silenced the blond Elf with her lips. Not since the day of their marriage at the start of that Age had they shared a kiss filled with such passion, such love; and the intensity of the exchange drew a gasp from the Queen. She found her slender frame being held tightly in the protective arms of her husband; and to her surprise, tears filled her eyes and slipped out from under her lashes.

As he felt the wet drops against his cheeks, Mirkwood's ruler broke off the kiss and gazed at his wife in concern. "Laer, what is it?" he asked softly. "Why do you weep?"

"Because I am so happy," Laerwen whispered. "Because our little boy is alive. Because I love you…"

There was no disputing that they were justifiable reasons. Thranduil understood them all, though he spoke no words to comfort the Elven lady. Instead he relinquished his hold on the crystal pendant, and slipped it back over her head. The sight of it against her white skin made him smile. That was where the necklace belonged. He mentally kicked himself for even considering that it should be thrown into the sea.

"Meleth-nin," Laerwen said softly. "It is time to go. Let us return to our son."

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Away from the Grey Havens, Legolas was playing a game of hide and seek with the twins. They were out of the valley and instead in the woods surrounding Imladris, although Lord Elrond had only allowed this on the condition that they were accompanied by Glorfindel and Alondir. Elladan and Elrohir had exchanged looks of concealed annoyance at this, but they had held back any protests for the Elfling's sake. It wouldn't have been fair to spoil his fun.

Although, truth be told, Legolas wasn't having fun. When he was the seeker, either the commander or the seneschal would trail a few feet behind, watching him carefully to ensure he did not stray out of sight. When it was his turn to hide, he would be stopped, and before he was permitted to go any further, he would have to tell the elder Elves where he would be. Elladan and Elrohir were tolerant, but he could sense that they were growing impatient. Now all he wanted was to go back to the Last Homely House. He was tired of being treated and made to feel like a mere babe.

"Let us have one more game," Elrohir said, noting the miserable expression on the child's face. "It is Elladan's turn to seek; and besides, I have found a new hiding place to try out."

"Very well." Legolas left the clearing they stood in; and as soon as he was through the trees, Glorfindel appeared before him. His eyes narrowed coldly. "Hello. Again."

The seneschal hid a smile at the poorly concealed bitterness in his charge's voice. "Hello, little one. What are you doing now? Hiding or seeking?"

"Hiding."

"Have you found somewhere yet?"

Legolas had known that was coming. "Yes," he replied. "There are a cluster of cedars along this path, and I will climb one of them. Please don't come to check on me this time. The last time you did, Elrohir followed you and found me."

"I am sorry," Glorfindel said contritely. "Go on your way, then."

With a soft exhale of annoyance, Legolas stepped around the Elf-lord and continued his journey. He understood the elder Elves' desire to protect and shield him from potential danger, but there was a limit to how much guard could be put upon him, and it had been overstepped hours ago. He was safe here, of that he was sure. It was not a large place, and the trees spoke to him constantly.

"Legolas!"

The Elfling stopped, but did not bother to turn around. "I have to go. Elladan is seeking, and he counts swiftly."

"Where will you be hiding?" Alondir asked.

"Down this way."

"Where?"

"Ask Glorfindel," Legolas suddenly snapped. "I told him only a moment ago."

"I am asking you, and until I receive an answer I am afraid that you must stay with me," Alondir said quietly. "I do not like to hinder you so, and restrict your play. But it is imperative that I know where you are at all times. It was because your whereabouts was not known that you were taken before."

Legolas whirled to face the commander, his eyes flashing angrily. "That was different! I was in Mirkwood then – lost, afraid and alone. Now I am in Imladris with four grown Elves in the area. How could I be anything but safe?"

"I am sorry that you do not understand this protection," Alondir said, a sudden bite in his voice. "I can assure you that were your father here, he would enforce the same precautions. You may wish to be taken prisoner again, but we would rather you stayed here with us."

"How can you think that I want to…?" The child shook his head, his face paled in shock. "You don't know anything. If you did, you would know that I do understand, I just resent the overprotectiveness. It stifles me. It humiliates me. Is it too much for you to put a small amount of trust in me, and believe that I will not behave foolishly or wander away?"

"We do not need to have this discussion here," Alondir replied in a low voice. "Tell me where you will be hiding, and I will let you go. Remain silent, and I will have no choice but to take you back and have Lord Elrond try to talk some sense into you."

"You do not want that. My father's lectures are sore to the ears."

Legolas spun, and his face fell as Elladan came through the trees. "You are here already!"

"Yes. I have to say, this is not one of your best hiding places," the elder Elf noted.

"It is not a…" The Prince whipped his eyes back to Alondir, and gave him a glare worthy of Thranduil's best. "I was planning to hide in the cedar trees. Now that you know, may I go there? Or, do you have any more pressing questions?"

"What happened?" Elladan asked quietly, watching as the younger Elf ran away from them.

Mirkwood's commander shook his head, angry with himself for distressing his charge so. "It was my fault. At least, that is how Legolas sees it. I did not mean to be so strict with him, I just… He is under my protection. I cannot, I will not fail in my duty as his guardian."

"You do not have to. Why not climb one of the trees?" Elladan offered. "You could watch him from up there, and you are a Wood-elf – you can easily move through the branches. More than likely, Legolas does understand why you want to protect him. It is the overprotectiveness that bothers him, I deem – the constant trailing and questions from not just one Elf, but two. It would frustrate anyone."

"He said as much. And yes, it would be easy to climb a tree and watch him from there, but it would not feel like enough," Alondir sighed. "Glorfindel could do it, but not I. I was there when Legolas went missing the first time, I was a witness to the pain and grief that… No. I feel safer this way."

Elladan nodded, nothing that the warrior kept on glancing in the direction of the cedars. "Come. Let us find the Elfling, and go back for some food."

………………………………………………………………………………………………

As Legolas sat down against one of the large trees, he let out a deep exhale of breath. "I did not mean to snap at Alondir," he said quietly. "I am being selfish, I know."

"Why do you say that, child?"

"Because he is only trying to look after me, because he knows what happened the last time I was alone," Legolas replied, turning slightly to face the cedar that had spoken. "And I know too, more than anyone. What I fail to understand is why he and Glorfindel feel the need to guard me so when I am in such a safe place."

"Nothing is ever certain in our lives," the cedar said gently. "One day I could be standing tall and proud, the next I could be cut down by Orcs who care nothing for the woods, but I would not know it was coming. You only assume that you are safe here because we are near to Imladris. Is that not so?"

"Maybe," Legolas admitted. "I cannot image anything awful happening here. I cannot see Lord Elrond's people suffering as my father's do, because this is a place of such beauty and happiness. I do feel safe here. I feel as though I could walk here even when night has fallen, and I would still be safe."

"Do you not fear capture?" the tree asked. "Even after living through such terrible pain and sadness, do you not fear being caught and imprisoned again?"

Legolas was silent for a moment as he thought, but then he nodded slowly. "Of course I do. Seregeth is still alive, and even though I am protected, he could still come after me. But why should I dwell on it? I cannot spend every minute of every day looking over my shoulder."

"You are wise beyond your years."

"I grew up a lot during my captivity. I…" The Prince's head snapped up as twigs broke a little way down the path. Bushes rustled loudly, and a flock of birds took to the air, screaming their indignation at being disturbed. "What was that?"

"Go back to your friends," the cedar advised. "I do not think that you want to be here."

"You know what it is," Legolas whispered, getting to his feet and backing away. "The other trees are telling you. It's him, isn't it? He has come back. He has come back to find me and take me away."

"Find your friends," the tree urged, its branches quivering. "You will be safe with them."

The child spun around, and ran straight into Alondir. He cried out and tried instinctively to run, but the commander reached down and caught his wrists, holding him still. He panicked and kicked out, his fear blinding him to the fact that he was with someone he knew and trusted, a friend. Only when Glorfindel and the twins arrived on the scene a few seconds later did Legolas realise that he was in no danger. He stopped fighting, and grabbed Alondir's hands with his own shaking ones.

"He is back!"

"Calm yourself," the warrior said firmly. "Take a deep breath, and-

"Seregeth has returned!" Legolas cried. "I heard noises on the path, and the trees told me to find you so that I would be safe, and… He will try and take me back, won't he? I don't want to go, I cannot. Don't let him."

"What promise did I make a few days back? I said that no harm would come to you whilst you are under my protection. I have never broken a promise, and I do not intend to start now," Alondir said. "I want you to stay with the twins now. Glorfindel and I will go to investigate."

The two Elven warriors set off down the path, loosening their knives and pulling out arrows from their quivers. They could easily take on one man, but it was better to be safe rather than sorry. As they walked, the commander's eyes flashed angrily at the distress that had been caused to his young Prince. Hurt children always affected him; and he almost wanted Seregeth to have returned so that he could vent his rage on the mortal.

"Did you hear that?" Glorfindel suddenly hissed.

The rustling of undergrowth came from their left, and Alondir nodded once. "Through there," he murmured. "Come."

They readied their weapons; and after a moment of silence to assess their positions, they stepped as one through the trees. Glorfindel sheathed his knife and whipped his bow off his shoulder, the action taking only a second. He strung an arrow, and pointed it at the figure lying prone on the ground. Alondir was slower, lowering his blade until it hung limply at his side. He did not even make a move to string an arrow, his gaze fixed where Glorfindel's weapons were directed.

"We need not have fear," he murmured. "That is Thalion."

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Legolas sat in silence in the twins' room, listening with only half an ear to what they were speaking of. His mind was on other things. Why had Glorfindel come out of the trees and ordered them to return to the Last Homely House? Why had the healers been asked to prepare medicines? None of it made sense, and he was so desperate to know what had happened in the woods.

Initially, he had feared that it was Seregeth who the trees had been warning him of, but now he doubted that. The expression on Glorfindel's face had been one of great relief. Surely he would not have been relieved if he and Alondir had come across someone so cruel? Legolas shrugged his shoulders unconsciously, and directed his attention back to the twins.

"Have they returned yet?"

Elladan looked as if he was about to shake his head, but then he hesitated, and nodded instead. "Yes. We saw them crossing the courtyard maybe twenty minutes back. We thought it would be best if we did not attract your attention to it."

"Were they…" Legolas bit on his lower lip, struggling to phrase the question. "Was there anyone else…?"

"Yes," Elrohir said, as the Elfling fell silent. "They were carrying someone."

"Seregeth?"

"I think not," Elladan replied.

"So, it was a man?"

"Yes. But there are often men here in Imladris for various reasons. The Dúnedain Rangers are friends of ours, so when they pass by they will come and stay for a few days," Elrohir explained. "Or if a human is injured, he will be brought here. It could have been anyone in the woods."

"I know, but-

The door opened, cutting the Prince off, and Lord Elrond came into the room. "Forgive me if I am disturbing you," he said, "but I would speak with Legolas. Elladan, Elrohir. If you could leave us for a few minutes."

"Of course."

As his sons left, the Half-elf sat down at a desk strewn with books and papers, and looked towards the Elfling. "I bring news for you, penneth. The man who was in the woods has been taken to the healing rooms, where he is being treated for minor burns and dehydration. Commander Alondir has identified him."

"Who?"

"His name is Thalion," Elrond replied, noting how the child visibly relaxed. "I believe you met him briefly in Mirkwood."

"I did. But I want nothing to do with him," Legolas said quickly. "He was with Amarth. That makes him… No. I will not see him, if that is why you have come to tell me this."

"It is not." The Peredhil paused, and looked carefully at his charge. "I am unsure that your father has told you all there is to know. You have only heard parts of the story from him and Alondir, yes?"

"Yes."

"Very well. I wish that he was here now so that he could tell you the rest himself, but since he is yet away, that task must fall to me," Elrond said. "This will come as a shock to you, I do not doubt. Thalion is Seregeth's son."

"No," Legolas countered quietly. "He cannot be."

"He is, penneth. He is. But he is also very different to the man who held you prisoner," the Elf-lord continued gently. "In fact, from what Alondir has told me Thalion was once in a similar predicament to yours. Even though they are father and son, Seregeth treated him cruelly."

"So, why did he send me to live at the cottage?" Legolas whispered. "If he knew that… If he had experienced it himself, why did…?"

Elrond shook his head as helpless silence fell. "He had nothing to do with it, it was all Seregeth and Amarth. Thalion did not know what really happened until over a month had passed. You see, he stayed in Mirkwood to help in the search. I have been told that he and your father were not the best of friends for a while."

"That does not surprise me," the Elfling said with a faint smile.

"Quite. Now, I believe that when you asked Alondir how they found you, he said that one among them had been having dreams which eventually led him to Seregeth," Elrond continued. "Is that correct?"

"Yes."

"It was Thalion. He dreamt often of his past, remembering the awful times of his childhood that had been spent with his father," Rivendell's Lord explained. "I know not why the dreams were sent to him. Perhaps they were signs from the Valar. I know that your father stopped trusting in them, but maybe they were sending signs all along and Thalion could not read them correctly. Or it could have been that he feared you would be treated cruelly as he had once been, and that fear conceived the visions. Whichever it was, he eventually realised the one place where Amarth could have taken you."

"To Seregeth," Legolas murmured.

"Precisely."

"Then, it is because of Thalion that I am safe and reunited with my father," the child said slowly. "It is all down to him. Lord Elrond, if I had known, I would not have… But I still cannot face him."

"Why? Because he is Seregeth's son?"

"Because he is a human."

Elrond was silent for a moment, but then he nodded slowly. "I see. But you cannot say that every time a mortal enters your life. What will you do when you are older and your father wants you to go to Laketown? What will you do if you must fight alongside men? Will you refuse?"

"Ada will understand," Legolas replied quickly.

"But he will not always be there. Sometimes there will be others who are not so compassionate," Elrond said. "They may become frustrated, or even angry with you. Is that what you want?"

"No, but…how can I pretend that men are not cruel? I have seen what they are, I know what they do," Legolas said, desperation creeping into his voice. "Will I have to pretend for all of my life?"

"I have not mentioned pretence," the Elf-lord answered. "I understand your prejudice against the human race, because your first experience with them was one that caused great heartache and pain. But you need to understand that not all mortals are evil, just because one is."

"It is similar with Elves?" Legolas questioned reluctantly. "Fëanor committed wrong deeds in his life, as did his sons. Eöl was evil, and Maeglin. But there are many who are good and kind."

"Precisely." Elrond paused, and took the child's small hands in his own. "I want you to come with me and see Thalion. With his help, I hope to restore your faith in the race of men. If you want to wait until your father is here so that he can be with you that is fine. But I am willing to accompany you, as are Glorfindel and Alondir. It is your choice."

"Will you help me?" Legolas asked shyly. "I want something to show Ada when he returns. I want him to be proud of me."

"He already is," Elrond said, his voice gentle. He noted that his charge did not mention Laerwen. "But yes, I will help you as much as I am able to. Do you want to visit him now? When I left the healing rooms, he was sleeping peacefully."

The Prince bit on his lower lip, and nodded once. "I will see him."

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Alondir raised his eyes to the door as it opened, expecting to see only Lord Elrond. That Legolas had also come to the healing wing was a surprise, though not an unpleasant one. He had thought that the boy would want to wait until Thranduil returned from the Grey Havens; and the fact that he was there so soon after being approached conceived a small bubble of pride in the commander's heart.

"I am glad that you are doing this," he said softly. "You are brave."

Legolas went forwards, and stopped a few feet away from the bed. Unwilling to look at the man lying in it but unsure what else to do, he lowered his eyes to the floor, and stared hard at his own feet. A hand came down to rest reassuringly on his shoulder, and he wished for a fleeting moment that he had waited for his father. He trusted Elrond and Alondir, but only felt truly safe with Thranduil.

"What… I mean, how did…" The Prince trailed off, and turned his head to look at the elder Elves. "Why is Thalion here? How was he hurt?"

"We will not know more until he is awake and in a position to answer a few of our questions," Elrond replied. "I cannot imagine where the burns came from, but his dehydration and exhaustion need no explaining. He has travelled a long way in a short time with little rest and water, but it will all be remedied here."

"Was he in much pain?" Legolas asked quietly.

"Some of his burns were infected, but luckily the contaminations had not spread far, and I was able to bring them under control. More than likely he was in pain, yes," Elrond answered, watching the child's face for changing expressions. A mask had been pulled on, though, and he saw few reactions. "Burns are painful, no matter how small they are. He has received medicine."

"If you look, you will see a bandage wrapped around Thalion's abdominal area," Alondir added softly. "Perhaps Lord Elrond will allow you to help with changing it. Would you like that? You could learn a few things about treating injuries, and teach the healers at home."

Legolas gave an imperceptible nod and took another step forward, his gaze still trained firmly on the floor. He felt the commander's hand fall away from his shoulder. With that small movement he felt suddenly alone, isolated from the other Elves in the room. He concentrated hard on finding the internal strength to raise his eyes to look upon Thalion; and as his willpower raged, everything seemed to stop. Movement, noise, time.

'Now, do it now,' the young Prince thought. 'Look at him. Look at him. It will not hurt me any more than looking into Alondir's face would. If I can do that, I can look into Thalion's.'

Obeying his mind, Legolas glanced up at the warrior, the brief contact clarifying what he had so firmly told himself. Nothing happened. He was safe. Taking a deep breath, he turned his gaze towards the bed, and watched silently as Thalion slept. The man's face was pale, his lashes dark against the white skin they rested on. His chest rose and fell slowly, his breathing shallow; and the child noted the bandage that Alondir had mentioned visible under a loose tunic.

"I think that he should have some more food upon waking," he murmured.

Elrond looked at Mirkwood's commander, and smiled. "Why do you say that, penneth?"

"He is too thin. The clothes that he wears are ill fitting, and I can see his bones jutting out," Legolas replied quietly. "You will ensure that he eats?"

"Of course."

The man on the bed shifted in sleep, his head turning slightly on the pillow. This new position showed Legolas the whole of the white visage, and the sight made him swallow nervously. Thalion looked like Seregeth. The elder mortal's face was more sharply defined and definitely crueller, but there was no denying it. Thalion really was his father's son.

'Only in looks,' the Prince reminded himself silently, 'and that means nothing. Although, I wonder if he has Seregeth's eyes. I hope not.'

"Are you well?" Alondir asked softly.

"I didn't think that I would be, but now that I am here I feel safe," Legolas replied. "It is not Thalion's fault that he is either a human or the son of my captor; and I should not have been so swift to judge him."

Elrond smiled, and rested a hand on the boy's shoulder. "I am indeed glad to hear you say that. Do you think you would like to come back and see him when he is awake?"

"Yes, but I would rather wait here," Legolas answered. "I want to be here when he wakes. I don't know why. I think because…because I want to tell him that it wasn't his fault, and that I do not hold him to blame. Do you mind, my Lord?"

"Not at all," the Peredhil said. "You may be in for a long wait, so I will have food sent up for you. Unfortunately I have some work which demands my attention, but Alondir, I believe, is happy to sit with you for the time being. He will-

There was a knock on the door; and as Elrond nodded his head, a healer standing by the wall opened it to admit Elladan and Elrohir. They entered, both glancing briefly at Thalion before turning their attentions to their father. As they spoke, Legolas barely listened. He sat down in an empty chair at the bedside, watching the man's face carefully for any signs of change.

"Adar, Glorfindel was on the way to see you," Elladan began. "We have brought his message, though, to save him traipsing all the way over here."

"I think it was rather because you wanted to look upon Thalion," Elrond said knowingly, a slight frown marring his features. "Is that not so?"

Elrohir glanced at his twin, and shrugged. "Maybe. Adar, Glorfindel has had some soldiers out scouting the woods for any companions that the mortal may have travelled with. They found none, although there was something."

"Well?"

"They found his horse which they naturally brought here, but he also had a small dog with him," Elladan replied, hiding a smile. "Leaving it out there would be cruel, so it has come back with the soldiers also."

As if on cue, a loud bark sounded from somewhere outside. Elrond massaged his temples wearily. "Wonderful," he sighed.

"May I see it?"

"Excuse me?"

"May I see the dog?" Legolas clarified. "I thought that I recognised its bark."

"It is not coming into my healing rooms," Elrond said firmly.

Elrohir hastily turned a laugh into a cough, and looked away from his father's sharp eyes. "We can take you to the stables if you would like to see the dog. It will not take long, and I expect that Thalion will still be asleep by the time we return."

Legolas glanced sideways at Alondir. "Will you stay here with him?"

"Of course." The commander fell silent as the three younger Elves left, though when the door was again shut he turned to Elrond. "Need I say that I am surprised? My Prince is stronger and braver than anyone deemed him, and we have come to realise that more and more since finding him. Despite that, I did not expect him to react so upon seeing Thalion."

"I knew he could do it. I only needed to persuade him to come with me, and then all would be well," the Peredhil replied. "Or at least better. This is only the first step of many, though it is by no means a small one. There will be other men who he cannot trust. Maybe he will have flashbacks to his time with Seregeth. He might struggle to bond with any mortals who enter his life even years from now. But it is all part of a healing process."

"He will do it," Alondir said firmly. "I know he will."

"Of course. As you said before, he is courageous indeed." Elrond smiled briefly as he moved towards the door. "Food will be sent up for yourself and Legolas in a short while. The healers are standing by to alert me if there are any drastic changes in Thalion, but I am not expecting any."

The warrior nodded, and took a seat at the side of the bed. He watched the sleeping mortal, following the slow rise and fall of the bandaged chest with his gaze. He liked Seregeth's son, had come to respect him over the last month of searching for Legolas; and he could not help but feel some amount of gladness that the man had followed the instructions on how to reach Imladris. It was good to see him again, even in such a state.

As Thalion's hand slipped on the bed sheets, Alondir raised his eyes to look upon the pale face. There was a story behind the lines of exhaustion, the blisters conceived by intense heat. But what, he did not know. It had to be Seregeth. Something had happened between the two men; and the Elf clenched his fists to fight away the need which ached to know everything. He suspected that the father had finally been beaten by the son.

'Only Thalion knows,' he reminded himself. 'Just wait.'

As the thought entered and left his mind, the door opened. Legolas came into the room, carrying a wrapped up bundle in his arms. He glanced ever so briefly at the commander and flashed him a quick smile, though he spoke no words, and was swift to break eye contact. He sat on the floor next to the bed, and immediately pulled his knees up to his chest, covering them with his arms.

Alondir hesitated, then leaned forwards to whisper in the boy's ear: "I thought I heard Lord Elrond say that he did not want the dog in his healing rooms."

"You did," Legolas confirmed. "Why?"

"I think you know the answer to that," the elder Elf replied. "Would you like to show me what is in that cloak?"

"I don't think so."

Alondir frowned. Really he should take the puppy outside, as he was quite sure Elrond would have wanted him to. But the look of increasing joy on his Prince's face was too much. It stilled him before he had even moved, and he glanced quickly around the room to make sure that there were no over hygienic healers with them. They had left. It looked as if the dog was staying.

Unable to contain himself any longer, Legolas got to his feet and pulled the cover off the hidden animal. "Alondir, look! It is Mellon!"

"Mellon?" the commander repeated with a smile. "Whose is he? Surely he cannot belong to you."

"He does, but Thalion must have been taking care of him since you went to the cottage," the Elfling replied. He paused, and bit on his lower lip as he continued softly: "It was actually Seregeth who gave him to me. My behaviour had pleased him, so he gave me Mellon as a reward. Although, he did try to take him back. He hurt him sometimes too."

Alondir looked at the happily wagging tail, and shook his head slightly. "You chose a good name for him, penneth, for he is friendly indeed. I cannot help but wonder what your father will have to say about this, though. You look optimistic. Do you think that you will be allowed to keep Mellon?"

"I hope so," Legolas answered. "He truly was a friend to me."

"Then, I am sure that will be taken into consideration. I…" Alondir trailed off, and flicked his gaze sharply towards Thalion. The man lay still, but the Elf would swear that he had caught movement. "Did you see that?"

"What?"

"I am sure that his head moved." The commander nodded as the mortal's fingers flexed and curled around the bed covers. "There. He is waking."

Legolas placed Mellon onto the floor, and was standing immediately. "Already? Is that a good sign? I did not think that he would come out of sleep for a while yet. Maybe we should call for a healer."

"I will find one," Alondir said, rising. "Do you want to come, or-

"No. I will stay."

The veteran warrior hesitated for a passing moment as if he was going to dispute this, but then he nodded and went quickly through the door, leaving the Prince alone with Thalion. Legolas took the now empty seat and leaned forwards, resting his chin on clasped hands. He watched silently as the man stirred, not even noticing that his breath was held in anticipation. And fear also. Yes. He was afraid, and wished suddenly that he had gone with Alondir.

'Be brave, be brave,' he told himself desperately. 'You survived Seregeth, so Thalion is nothing.'

Everything was still and silent in the healing rooms for a moment that seemed to last a whole lifetime. Even Mellon was quiet, just sitting placidly at his master's feet as the Elfling waited. And waited. And waited for the inevitable to happen, for the mortal to come back to the conscious world. Then it happened. Thalion's dark lashes fluttered against his skin a few times, before his eyes were forced open.

No words were spoken. He blinked to adjust his vision to the sudden light, and it was close to a minute until his gaze fell upon Legolas. Even when he realised who he was looking on, silence continued to reign. Man and Elf just stared at each other. There was nothing which could be said, no sentiments which could possibly be uttered. They seemed to be under some sort of spell, rendered speechless by the enchantment of history.

The truth was that they did share a history, though the two had known each other for only a small amount of time. Both had been Seregeth's victims, both had suffered and lived through the same cruel punishments. They each knew what the other had endured from their captor, and that was something that no one else could possibly understand. In the very moment that their eyes met, Legolas' past became Thalion's, Thalion's past became Legolas'.

"He said that your life was no more."

"I know."

A silence that was almost but not quite uncomfortable fell once more, and the two took the time to try and sift through some of their many thoughts. Alondir came back with another Elf; and as he was examined by the healer, Thalion did not even notice the ministrations. Legolas was alive. Mirkwood's commander was in Rivendell, but where was the King? Had they been too late? Was the Queen no longer on Middle-earth's shores? So many questions, but so few answers. With others present, it seemed strangely inappropriate to discuss anything.

"You do have his eyes."

"Excuse me?"

Legolas tilted his head to one side, and nodded at the mortal's face. "Before you woke, I wondered if your eyes would be similar to Seregeth's. They are."

"Ah." Thalion took a cup of water from the healer and let the cool liquid slide down his dry throat a moment before replying: "And you have Thranduil's eyes."

"What does that tell you about me?"

"Nothing."

"Exactly. You would not assume that I am anything like my father in personality just because I resemble him in appearance," Legolas said quietly. "I told myself this before you woke so that I would not judge you too harshly. And, I know. I know that you are not Seregeth. I know that you had nothing to do with my captivity."

"I am unsure what to say. I want to apologise, to tell you how sorry I am for everything that…" Thalion broke off the sentence, and fell silent. When he spoke again, his voice was filled with sorrow. "It would not be enough, I deem. 'Sorry' will not change what has happened, nor improve anything. So I will not offer you any such plea."

Legolas nodded his understanding, and as he did his gaze fell upon Mellon. He smiled slightly. "You brought my dog."

"I did not know that you were his master," Thalion replied. "Before the fire I sold Seregeth's other animals in the town, but this little fellow I took rather a liking to, and… What is it? Are you well, Legolas?"

"What fire is this that you speak of?" Alondir asked, stepping forwards from where he stood by the wall to address the man. "We see the burns on your body, but we know not how they were conceived."

"Of course, forgive me," the mortal sighed. "There was a fire at the cottage. As you can see I managed to escape, but not before the flames made their mark on me. I was slipping in and out of consciousness, so I do not recall much. Though, I do remember that…"

"What?" Legolas pressed.

Thalion shook his head as if to jolt himself from reverie, and answered: "I remember that whilst I broke free, Seregeth did not. He succumbed to his lust for power, embracing death willingly. He is dead. The cottage is no more. All that remains is ash and charred wood."

"Valar…" The young Prince's eyes darkened with grief at the revelation. "It is sad that he is gone."

"Why do you say that?" Alondir asked, stunned.

"Because no matter who he was, no matter what he did to me and Thalion and all the others, Seregeth was still a living man," Legolas answered quietly. "I think that his story is a tragic one, and he should have been given the chance to change and redeem himself. Everyone deserves that, even if they are evil."

"I did give him a chance," Thalion said, his voice sharper than intended. "He did not want it. Men such as him rarely do. Do not regret his passing nor mourn it, Legolas. He was made to pay for his crimes. Maybe death was some amendment."

Alondir gave a small smile when his Prince made no reply. "You are too soft hearted by far, penneth," he said gently. "And you have retained some of your naivety, for which I am glad. But your ability to forgive is something in you that I admire. Your father will be proud."

Legolas grimaced at that. "I do not think so. He would have wanted Seregeth dead anyway, so this news will please him. The news that I am saddened by my captor's death will not. He will be disappointed."

"And you will be surprised," Alondir said.

As the two Elves spoke together, Thalion felt his eyes starting to droop. He wondered vaguely if the healer had hidden a sleeping draught in his water. More than likely. But he found himself unable to care too much. Let sleep come. He would welcome it. Legolas was alive, he himself was alive; and there would be plenty of time for them to talk tomorrow.

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At the beginning of the Havens scene I mentioned that it was two days later, but if I'm honest I don't have a clue how long it would take Gwaihir to get there. I looked through all of my books and at all of my maps and at countless websites, but nothing really helped me. So, two days is just a guess. If anyone thinks or knows different, please tell me!

This was quite possibly one of the longest chapters in this story. Anyway. I am going on holiday tomorrow evening to Tenerife, but there is only one chapter left that I need to post. So, I'm hoping to get it up for you tomorrow before I leave. Wouldn't that be nice! But I suppose that if I don't manage that it won't be too much of a problem because I'm only away for a week, and normally there would be a week's wait in between chapters anyway. I don't know. I'll try my hardest.

Also, did anyone see 'Casualty' on Saturday evening? If you're in America you probably didn't. But I was in it! Yay!

Anyway, as I said, I will try to post the last chapter tomorrow. That way I can have a whole week to focus on my next story – of which I'm nearly half way through as it is.

Hope you enjoy this chapter,

Misto

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