A/N

My apologies that this might be a bit scrappy, I have had an accident (never argue with a flight if steps and a plate glass window because you will lose). I'm still finding screen based reading a little difficult and so it might not flow, or be as tidy, in fact as it seems to me.

In the same way apologies to those who reviewed the last chapter that I haven't replied, it's for the same reason and I will do so when I've recovered fully.

Of enemies and friends, and those in between

Legolas arrived at his fathers' rooms before the king himself had returned and was greeted by Galion with a tray on which rested a cup of wine and a plate of sliced spiced apple. He inclined his head in greeting as he held out the wine.
"Your father has not yet returned my Lord, but I doubt he will be long delayed for he left at sunset and intended to be back in time to dine with you."

Legolas took a slice of fruit and the wine cup with a frown.
"Left you say, that suggests that he has departed the palace and gone into the forest. If that is indeed the case I hope that he has not gone unaccompanied. The shadow may have retreated but it is not safe enough that the king should go about alone and unguarded, great warrior though he is."
Galion inclined his head again and a faint look of reproof drifted across his face.
"He knows this and he did not go alone, much though I think he would have wished to. His closest guard went with him as they always do at such times."
For a moment Legolas looked confused then enlightenment dawned and he nodded reaching for another slice of apple. He gave Galion an apologetic look.
"Of course, the end of spring approaches. I…."

He got no further for the door opened and his father entered the room, a warm smile curving his lips as he saw his son
"Legolas, I trust I have not kept you waiting long?"
His son smiled in return, noting the bow slung across his fathers shoulder and the wide eyed, slightly far away, look in the king's eyes that betrayed his recent communion with the spirit of the forest.
"No time at all," he responded cheerfully, "and waiting is no hardship for the wine is good and I know you have been about important matters. A small delay in dining is nothing when in the service of the council of the trees. How went it? Is there any news of the south? Do you think it will be safe to send a patrol over the mountains once the last spring festival is over?"

The king handed his bow and quiver to Galion with a smile then he unbuckled his belt and laid it and the daggers on a chair. Galion picked them up and disappeared into the kings dressing suite as Thranduil began to shrug himself out of his jacket, replying as he did so."I have been considering that since we completed the inspection tour. Both the Council of the Realm and the leaders of the communities are in agreement with such a course provided there is no indication that Dol Guldar has been occupied again."
An anxious look drifted across Legolas's face and a note of hesitation entered his voice.
"Is there?"
Thranduil shook his head as he draped his jacket over a chair back.
"Not that can be determined. My informants in the south say all remains quiet, that the fortress is silent and seems deserted. The birds report no sign of the shadow either and tonight the trees spoke not of orc or spider or wild wolf but only of spring and renewal."
He stared towards the fire and frowned.
"But there must be no mistake, no overconfidence. The creatures of the dark are devious; they have hidden themselves before and will do so again if allowed the chance. I will send a message to the Golden Wood to see if they have noticed any signs of the darkness returning before taking any action, for they are far closer to it and more likely to see the early signs of a return. But if they report hopefully then I think such a foray might be ventured. Though it must not be as far as the fortress just yet I think."

Legolas frowned."Will Lord Celeborn not send scouts out, at least to the edge of the forest for that would give clearest view of all?"

Thranduil shook his head.

"No, Lothlorien has closed itself to the world and will remain so if I am any judge; my informants tell me that they rarely venture as far as to their borders these days. I confess I was greatly surprised when Mithrandir revealed the Lady had traveled to the fortress, her fear of what was there must have been great indeed to draw her from her land."
He gave s son a weary smile.
"They will watch, but from a distance. Do not think I blame them for that, I do not, Celeborn's first duty is to keep his people safe, as is mine. We both know the dangers that evil place holds and will be circumspect in any matters regarding it."

Galion appeared again with a robe which he handed to the king without a word before returning to the table and the wine jug to pour him a cup. Legolas set down his own wine and went to help Thranduil don his robe knowing how much the communion with forest wearied his fathers' body even as the wonder of it fed and provided succour to his spirit. With a faint smile the king accepted the help, pulling the robe tightly about his body as if he felt a chill.

He sighed, a look of concern flitting across his face as he continued.
"Nor will I hasten into any action on this matter. I would not send any of our people so far from home and family just yet. I would have us make as much of this time of peace and renewal as possible, for as you know I do not think it can endure. Let there be a year or two of rest and joy as the forest renews itself."

Legolas was silent for a moment, remembering his days and nights spent staring down upon that place of evil, recalling the sense of foreboding he had felt at the sight of the dark walls and how the brooding air that hung around it had seemed to freeze his heart even at such a distance. Suddenly he wanted more than anything to wipe the fortress from the forest so that he might put those memories aside forever. Yet he was aware that he was also glad it would not fall to him to order any of their people to approach it, an insight that brought a sudden sense of shame and the memory of Tauriel's foolish words. He pushed the recollection and the sudden chill it brought to him, away and looked back towards his father with serious eyes.
"But you will send scouts to the fortress when there is more certainty of its fate?" He said slowly.
The king nodded slowly and accepted the wine Galion held out to him before the butler took the flagon and left the room.
"Yes and within ten seasons if there is certainty enough, for there are preparations I would make in the south against the time when the shadow returns." He looked at his son with a determined expression, "but I will not go unsure or unprepared and so risk losing any of our people to the pits of that terrible place."
A small tremor ran through the king as he spoke and his eyes took on a haunted expression, for he knew very well the fate of those who were imprisoned in those dark places. The thought of any of his people being claimed by them filled him with horror.

Legolas looked at his father with understanding.
"Nor would any expect you to, certainly not I." he said softly. He looked down into his wine. "Gandalf told me of the fate of Thorin Oakenshield's father and the thought of any of our kin being treated in such a way fills me with the same horror as I see in your face. Lady Celebrian had to sail to escape her memories and yet I fear that a prisoner of Dol Guldor would suffer pains even greater than hers, for the malice of Sauron or the nine exceeds even that of orcs, and how would they be saved?"
Thranduil sighed, the shadow of his fears still clouding his face.
"How indeed, the pits lie far beneath the fortress and its walls are protected by the most powerful of dark spells. Each year of Sauron's dwelling there he strengthened them, little at first but more as his power returned."
Legolas looked his father curiously, wondering how he knew this.
"Was this well known? If it was then why was he left to grow strong?" He asked.

The king took a swallow of wine and sank into his chair as if weary; some hint of the wonder of the forest still lingered in the depths of his eyes yet now it was overlaid by regret and his voice was washed of expression.
"I failed to persuade them to act when it could have counted. I knew of it, was sure of it, for the trees and the birds spoke of it in such terms that there could be no mistaking. Indeed as he grew stronger I could feel the malice, the cold, of those spells if I turned my mind to the south, even on the brightest of summer day. Though they never spoke of it those watching in the Golden Wood must have seen something of the same and I cannot fathom how the Lady could not have felt it."
"Yet they did not act." Legolas said with a shake of his head.

"No. I informed Elrond and Celeborn of all I heard and saw but as you know it did not convince the White Council. The War of the Last Alliance was long and bitter and they wanted to believe that it had succeeded, that the evil was past, so very much."
He gave a faint smile.
"They longed for peace Legolas, and for that hope they risked terrible war, and terrible it will be if Sauron rises again. A gamble they took, and one that we can now be sure that they, we all, lost."

He sighed and leaned back against his chair, taking a sip of wine and his eyes growing distant with memory.
"I think that Mithrandir was of a mind to act but Saruman was not convinced of the need, setting little store by my words and judging the occupier of the fortress to be some lesser wizard. The rest of the council dismissed my concerns and followed his lead."
Legolas looked at him in astonishment.
"I never knew this. A lesser wizard? How could they believe such a thing, no wizard who could affect Greenwood in such a way could be considered as such! It says little for their wisdom that they judged so."
Thranduil inclined his head in agreement but made no other comment.
Legolas saw the weary look in his fathers' eyes deepen and decided to speak no more on a topic that still caused both pain and anger for Greenwoods king, instead he shrugged.
"Perhaps Lord Elrond will enlighten us as to why they paid so little attention to your words when he is here now that the truth is known. I can understand that he might not wish to commit it to a messenger, and I did not understand enough of what had gone before to pursue the matter when we met.
He smiled and shook his head.
"Not that it will change anything that is past but it might be of some use for the future. But you are right in what you say, the presence is banished for now and we have time to take some ease."

At that point Galion entered again and began to set the table. Thranduil cast a warning glance at Legolas and turned the conversation towards his communion with the forest.

xxx

They had eaten their fill and were settled companionably looking out at the forest peaceful beneath the stars when the conversation turned to Elrond's arrival and, as a consequence, to the strange matter of Gandalf's letter.

"Did Mithrandir give any clue as to his current doings?" Legolas asked as he refilled his glass from the flagon beside him.
His father shook his head with a slight smile.
"No, but I would not expect that he would. Two letters sent within the course of a season is something I doubt he has done before and expect that he knew well what he wanted to convey, as little as possible. Indeed I can't imagine where he found the pen and ink! It seems unlikely that the dwarfs had such things about them and no wayside inn would be able to provide them. But then he is wizard and no doubt has ways we know little of."
Legolas hesitated for a moment his eyes fixed on the treetops, then he drew a deep breath and asked the question that had been haunting him since he first of learned of Gandalf's second missive.
"He said nothing more of Dale or Tauriel? He has not changed his mind on that matter?"
Thranduil shook his head slightly but did not look towards his son. His voice however was mellow with no hint of concern as he responded.
"No, there was no mention of it. I think we can consider his views on her actions fixed and so the doubts set aside. Whatever brought her to abandon her people and her duty and to threats of murder and treason it was not the command of Sauron or his servants. At least, not with her knowing and connivance."

Legolas stared up towards the stars, it was a clear night and their brightness overshadowed the power of the slim sliver of moon that hung amongst them. He fixed his eyes on that slim blade edge of the new moon as he spoke.
"I confess myself to be relieved; I did wonder if his time of reflection had altered his assessment of the matter." He was pleased that his voice sounded no less easy and composed than his fathers.
Thranduil sighed softly and laid a hand on the arm beside him, though he too kept his eyes on the sky.
"Then I am sorry for it and the grief it must have brought you."
Legolas shook his head and smiled at the moon his own hand coming up to grasp the fingers on his arm.
"It is nothing that should cause you sorrow, for the doubt was mine alone. I still do not understand her mind and whilst that continues to be the case the possibility for doubt remains."

He drew a deep breath but continued without any sign of distress.
"My own thoughts and feelings have become clearer to me, or so I believe, and with that clarity I better understand my own actions, but hers now baffle me. More so now than then, for now I know a greater part of her deeds than then. How a warrior of our people, trained and trusted, came to behave in so irrational a manner, and at time when she knew our dangers to be increasing, still eludes me. That I did not see that at the time causes me shame for even then I should have looked beyond her words to her deeds."
He paused for a moment as if remembering, and then he continued with a question in his voice.
"For she cannot have truly loved the dwarf when she knew so little of him could she? An elf would not pledge to another elf in such a way as that, even if they had known them their whole lives. How then could she do it with one from a people of whom she knew little and even less that was good? "
"No, I would agree that it is strange." Thranduil said softly.

There was a period of comfortable silence between them as they stared out into the night each lost in their thoughts, watching the starlight silver the edges of the newly grown leaves, cutting the outline of the trees with shadows that shifted and fluttered in the strengthening night wind. Finally Legolas spoke again as he reached to refill his cup.
"So what then did he write if it was not of Tauriel or Dain or Dale? What was so pressing to move him to find paper and ink so soon after his last effort? What business is he about?"

Thranduil shrugged, his eyes still fixed on the trees.
"He wrote nothing of his doings, though I can surmise what they are likely to be given where he met the dwarfs. The letter spoke only of Elrond's visit."
"Oh! Have you learned more of Lord Elrond's reasons for coming from it?"
"No, I know no more than when we last spoke of his visit."
Legolas frowned slightly as he picked up his wine cup."Why then did he write of it at all, what is that to him? Indeed how does he know of it?"
Thranduil smiled slightly and shrugged again.
"He was as cryptic as only one of his ilk can be. Yet this is not unknown where he is concerned for he often speaks in roundabout ways though it is never clear why, for when the mood takes him he can be as direct as a well aimed arrow. This occasion is not such a time however and his words wind like ivy around an ancient elm. It is possible that he feared that one of the dwarfs might be overcome by curiosity and open it, and understand more of it than expected. He might even have feared that his letter could fall into other hands."

Legolas looked at his father in surprise.
"Why should that be the case? If he did not trust the dwarfs then why send his missive with them?"
Thranduil shook his head.
"I do not think it was matter of trust. There was an opportunity and he grasped it but he knew that once they went their separate ways there would be nothing he could do to influence its progress."
"Grasped or contrived?" Legolas asked with a smile.
Thranduil laughed.
"Possibly both for I doubt that chance was involved. I do not think he has the gift of foresight but he has many informants and helpers, and if he wished to send such a letter he would have little difficulty in finding a party on the road heading east to serve his purpose "
He tiled his head a little as he considered the matter further
"It is not clear to me how or where he came upon the dwarfs, nor how long he journeyed with them, and they know so little of the land they have traveled that they cannot explain. All they can tell me is that they met him in an inn on the road at the entrance to the pass through the Blue Mountains, by chance they think, though as I have said I take leave to doubt that. He seems to have stayed in their company for a day or two, no more, and then he left them to take the road west."

Legolas frowned again.
"But why write at all? Mithrandir rarely find the need to resort to the written word, indeed I do not think I have ever heard of him sending a letter except for that one from Dale and those reasons were exceptional. Yet it does not seem to be the case here."
His father smiled.
"That is true, yet perhaps he felt the matter to be exceptional." Thranduil stared up towards the sky. "I think that the events he set in train by sending Thorin Oakenshield to Erebor have finally taught him some caution, though I doubt that lesson will stick with him. Or perhaps it was rather that it reminded him that he can not be sure of the actions of those who know only a part of the story. A lesson I hope he does not forget too quickly."
He looked towards his son with a wry expression.
"Elrond's visit seems to be the only reason for his literary effort. Stripping away the evasion and obscure phrases I take his message to be a request for me to listen kindly to whatever it is that Elrond wants and to look upon his request with favour."

Legolas turned to look at his father in surprise.
"So, Lord Elrond wants something of us, something that is of interest to Mithrandir. Considering recent events that sounds a little …..ominous."
Thranduil's smile took on a slightly cynical edge.
"I did not doubt that Elrond wants something." He said dryly. "Why else would he leave his mountain fastness and travel here n? It is nearly two millennia since last he traveled east, what could inspire such a visit now but his desire for my support in something?"
His tone became thoughtful.
"Something that he doesn't feel safe to commit to a letter; or perhaps something he feels unable to ask of me except in person."
He turned his head and gave his son a glittering smile.
"Which is interesting is it not?"

Thranduil reached out and took a nut from the dish beside him, his eyes narrowed slightly as he looked back towards the night and a musing edge entering his voice.
"I had thought it related to the mortal who lives within the sanctuary of his house for he brings the boy with him, but not his mother. Yet I cannot see why anything he might ask for on that count is likely to require the wizard's championship."
Legolas leaned forward and refilled his wine cup again.
"I agree. What could his fosterling need of us? I had some small conversation with him during my time in Elrond's house but there was nothing remarkable about him that I recall, and nothing that would indicate a need for our assistance."
His father shrugged.
"That is unclear, but then I know little of the mortal other than he is the last of Isidurs' line, at least as far as is known; and so related to Elrond at some distance. He came to Imladris with his mother from their lands in the north when his father was killed, that would be some fifteen springs or so ago and they have both remained there since. I assume that in time he will return to his own people for he must be their chieftain by virtue of his birth. How we might assist in that I cannot see.
"He frowned slightly.
"Whatever it is that Elrond wishes of us it seems that Mithrandir also considers it of some import. As I have said I confess myself intrigued as to what it might be."
He turned to look at his son again the frown dissolving into another bright smile.
"It will also be amusing to see how Elrond approaches making the request."

Legolas smiled slightly at the bland tome of his father voice, knowing well how he must feel about this visit, and how some of their people would view it.
"I cannot imagine that Lord Elrond is comfortable in asking anything of you when he has been of so little assistance during the dark days."
He frowned again as a new thought occurred to him.
"But how would Mithrandir know about this visit?"
Thranduil took a sip of wine and smiled slightly, staring up at the stars glittering like white gems between the mounting clouds.
"I have given that some considerable thought and the only possible explanation I can see is that Elrond has been debating this visit for some time and that during that period Mithrandir visited Imladris and they spoke on the matter."
"But why did he not mention it when he was with us."Thranduil shrugged slightly
"That question I cannot answer, perhaps a desire not to be the first to mention it given the events of the past. Perhaps he had some feeling that if he did so it might anger me given the events of seven springs ago, or cause me to deny the request when it came. There is some suggestion of that in his letter."
He looked back towards Legolas again.
"Though it is possible the desire to speak of it did not come upon him until after he had left us. If he was north of the Blue Mountains when he met the dwarfs, as I think he was, he will have spent lonely weeks of traveling since leaving Dain's court and perhaps the hours of solitude gave him cause to reflect upon the matter. It might even have been something the dwarf king said that decided him to add his entreaties to whatever persuasions Elrond will deploy. Though I cannot see why that might be."

Silence fell between them for a while, both lost in their own wondering. Eventually Legolas resumed the conversation.
"If they are to be here before the end of spring they must already be on the road, and have been so for some time, let us hope the weather continues kind. When do you expect them to arrive?"
"My informants tell me he has left the foothills of the mountains and is making good time towards the river. If they judge it aright Elrond and his party should be at the forest gate by the half moon, so unless there is some unforeseen delay they will be here in time for the feast." Thranduil said.

There was a pause before Legolas spoke quietly, his eyes fixed on his wine.
"You will include his party in the festivities?"
"Yes of course, how could I not without giving the most grievous offence. Though I know there are those amongst us who will not be easy with their presence. It would be churlish to deny them the experience of our people's joy and pleasure at the approaching summer."
Legolas continued to stare into his wine cup.
"You do not anticipate any difficulties? Many of those in Imladris view our people with distain I have heard and read, though they were careful with their words and looks in my company. If that is truly the case then should our people be required to tolerate such looks and slights at their feast? I do not doubt that the Lord himself will be all politeness and dignified good humour, for his kindness is honest and boundless. But can we expect the same from all of those who travel with him?"

Thranduil's smile was without humour and his eyes were alight with mockery.
"I know the arrogance of the Noldar well; I have seen their self satisfaction and their pride, false though I judge it to be. But Elrond carries the blood of the Telari in his veins, though he seems content to forget the line he sprang from and take on the mantle of those who slaughtered them and would have killed him too but for the guilt of one."
The smile faded.
"Yet who can say how he feels it in his heart, he will never say, and he was little more than an infant at the time of his taking. For the rest he is indeed of a kindly and open disposition and will have taken care to choose his companions from those whose conduct he can rely upon."
Legolas nodded.
"Indeed, he has known his share of grief and trouble, I cannot imagine how he and his brother felt when they learned the truth of their past."
His father shook his head slowly.
"Nor I, but I have wondered if it played a part in Elros making his choice as he did."
He looked towards Legolas with a sad smile, "that it was easier to ally with men than to decide what form of elf he was."

The look of sadness faded as he pushed thought of old sins aside.
"But as I have said I trust him to choose his party carefully and bring only those he trusts not to strain the duties of hospitality. Even so I will keep them close to the Halls and in the company of those who I can be sure will turn aside any barbs or insults they may voice. At least until I have had the opportunity to assess their conduct for myself. But I will not allow our people, Sylvan or Sindar, to be deprived of their joy in the feast. Nor will I permit any word or action that makes our kin the butt of Noldar scorn, if that means they pass the visit confined to their quarters, or even in a prison, then so shall it be. Though I doubt there will be the need, for Elrond would be mortified by such conduct even if he did not seek our help."

Behind them the sounds of Galion entering to settle the fire reminded them of the waning night and Legolas drained his wine and rose to take his leave. His father would need rest before the Council meeting where he would tell of the report of the forest, and no doubt he would seek to recapture that communion in dreams before he did so. As he strode down the quiet corridor to his own apartments he found thoughts of Tauriel returning to him and he wondered if his own dreams would be so joyful.

xxx