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Wild Justice

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Pairing(s): Legolas/OC. Legolas/Elrond (eventual). Legolas/Elladan (mentioned).

Rating: PG-13/R-Rated (nothing graphic).

Summary: Legolas has fled both from Mirkwood and his lover, seeking sanctuary within the boarders of Imladris. He has told no one of his departure and he will tell no one his reasons. Why has our Prince fled? And from what does he flee?

Warning: AU; Slash; M-Preg; Angst.

Notes: Thanks to MoroTheWolfGod for the Plot Bunny.

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Chapter 9: Responses

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Dejected and weary from inner toils as well as the long ride back home to Mirkwood, it was with heavy heart that Lord Ahearn stepped into the King's study, having been called upon the moment of arrival.

Thranduil had left out all pretence at curtsey, enquiring immediately as to whether or not his travels to Imladris had been rewarding.

Ahearn had replied that the Elven Lord, though very sympathetic and eager to offer solutions, seemed to be withdrawn from the situation. It had appeared to him, that on their meetings, Lord Elrond had appeared calm and composed, untroubled by the news of the runaway prince.

"The lord of Imladris is always calm and composed, Ahearn." Spoke the king of Mirkwood.

Ahearn bowed his head. "With all respects, his composure was not befitting the situation."

"You think he knows something we do not?"

"I do, my king." Replied Ahearn. "Lord Elrond of Imladris gives the impression of someone who may have spoken with the young prince, and fairly recently by the way he poised himself."

"When you say 'fairly recently', how recent do you mean?"

"Within the last fortnight. It is my belief that even if Legolas is not in Imladris, Elrond may well know where he is or is heading to."

"Why would he keep such information from me?" demanded Thranduil, pacing the room with sudden anger and frustration.

"The prince has his ways of getting people to keep his secrets, my king. You know this from the travellers who said that they saw a lone rider but nothing more."

"He surely would not have sworn the Lord of Imladris himself to secrecy?" Thranduil stopped in his pacing, turning to face Ahearn. "The very idea of Lord Elrond doing so is preposterous!"

"He may well have done." Ahearn sighed in defeated and Thranduil's face softened.

"Please, sit my lord. You must be weary from your travels."

Thankfully, Ahearn complied, rubbing his hand across his tired eyes. "What news from Lothlórien? Have any of the messengers returned?"

"Yes. A few did bearing a letter from the Lady Galadriel."

"How many were sent to Imladris?"

"Less than a dozen, and they have not yet left Lothlórien for Imladris. Some were under the impression that the Lord and Lady may be keeping my son there at his request and decided to linger a few days longer in case he may be spotted."

"'Tis a likely presumption." Ahearn paused a moment. "He would not be foolish enough to head to the lands of men... would he?" the last phrase had been spoken hesitantly and Ahearn berated himself for such show of weakness.

Thranduil's eyes bore into his own, "At any other time I may have harboured such a theory, but he would not I don't think, not in his condition at least. He is smarter than that."

The words were confident, but both Elves shifted uncomfortably wondering at the possibility, for it was one of the places that Thranduil had not thought to look.

"We shall send messengers." Said Thranduil firmly.

"Yes," agreed the young Lord, relaxing visibly at the prospect.

They were silent a long moment before Lord Ahearn chanced himself to speak. "You mentioned a letter from the Lady of the Golden Wood, may I enquire as to what it contained?"

"You may." Thranduil made show of retrieving an opened envelope from his cluttered study table. Handing it to Ahearn he leaned upon the edge of his table and waited as Ahearn read it aloud:

"Whither is fled the visionary gleam. Where is it now, the glory and the dream?"

Ahearn's brow creased slightly and he looked up into Thranduil's eyes. "If you'll pardon me, my King, but even by the standards of the Lady Galadriel, that makes no sense,"

Thranduil smiled slightly. "My thoughts exactly, but please, read on."

The young Lord's eyes followed the rest of the neat script of the Lady of Lorien:

"Even the wildest of birds will seek to return to its nest, but if trapped and cornered, it may forsake its desires and bout for safety. Why has thou son left you Thranduil? And is there good enough reason for him to return?"

Ahearn once more looked up into Thranduil's eyes. "That made little more sense than the last."

Thranduil watched him carefully for a time before speaking. "That, my lord Ahearn, makes perfect sense." The king sighed and Ahearn saw how weary he truly looked. His face haggard with worry, his mouth drawn into a thin line.

He watched as Thranduil seated himself at his desk. "You may go now, Ahearn. Take rest for a few days. I will arrange for..." he drifted off, staring into a small fire that was burning in the hearth.

Ahearn stood, bowing a little in respect before exiting his king's presence. His face hardening slightly as he closed the door behind himself and marched purposefully down towards the lower quarters of Thranduil's stone kingdom.

Chapping once onto a wooden door, Ahearn entered the room. The two guards inside the room stood hurriedly and saluted him.

"Come." Said Ahearn, his voice soft. "It is time to take matters into our own hands."

He turned away and the two half-Elves followed him out, exchanging gleefully malicious looks as they did so.

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To Be Continued...?

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Peace,

CS WhiteWolf

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