AN: I apologise that this chapter is so long, I've reworked it several times and each time it seems to gain a few words even when it loses paragraphs. Each piece serves a later purpose so in the end I've given up trying to shrink it.I hope the current structure makes it readable.

To those who reviewed the last chapter and to whom I couldn't reply thank you it's much valued.

In the Halls of the Elvenking – the request

A soft knock on the door announced his guide for the journey to the dinner hall.

"Enter" he called out as he cast one last look in the glass and adjusted the belt that bound his dark blue under gown before returning to the bed chamber. He reached for his over robe and shrugged it on as the newcomer entered.

His escort was an elleth with acorn coloured hair and dressed in dark green livery who cast a rapid and appraising head to toe look over him before inclining her head slightly in a ritual bow.
"The king invites you to dine and bids me show you the way to the dining hall."Her voice was low and musical.
He smiled.
"Thank you, I am glad of your escort for I confess I have no confidence in my ability to find the way alone. The kings Halls are large and hard to fathom."
She inclined her head with a small smile,
"Indeed they are, in part by design."

The answer took Elrond by surprise for until that moment it had not occurred to him that the twisting and soaring walkways were part of the strongholds defences. But now the suggestion was put he could see how it could be the case.

Thinking back to their arrival he realised that the unexpected beauty of the Halls had filled his mind and had distracted him from appreciating their more defensive attributes. But recalling that journey he could see how hard it would be for an enemy to negotiate them and how vulnerable that enemy would be as they attempted to do so. Thinking about it now he could see that it might well have been constructed to enable that, Thranduil had learned something from the sack of Menegroth it seemed.

The thought caused him another moment of consternation; he had known, he supposed, that his host was a warrior king, but the full meaning of that had never fully occurred to him before. Suddenly some of Glorfindel's more obscure remarks about his companions and their conduct took on a new and important meaning.

But that was not a matter for immediate concern and he filed the thought away for later consideration.

He smiled at his guide again as he plucked his circlet from the couch and set it on his brow.
"They are very beautiful too, I trust we have time for me to look a little more, or does dinner press upon us?"
She returned his smile.
"The king was aware you might wish a slow progress and chance to look around you, food has been chosen accordingly. He will not join you until all are assembled and so we may tarry a little here and there as you wish."
Elrond inclined his head in thanks.
"He is kind but I would not wish to inconvenience him by any tardiness on my part."
She shook her head.
"Be easy on that for he will not be incommoded in any way, he instructed me to reassure you on this should you be concerned. He has matters enough to attend to in his own apartments until such time as all are gathered."

He followed her out into the hallway and pulled the door behind him, matching his stride to hers as they moved out into another, wider, hall.

"Your Realm is large and the demands on his time must be great."
"That is so, though the easing in the shadow has reduced the burden upon him a little. For many centuries he had little leisure, too little for him even to walk in the forest as once he did. Nor time to visit other Realms even had it been safe for him to travel abroad. But for much of the last millennia that has not been the case, more than once was he ambushed on the road beyond the forest and only his skills and those of his guard preserved him."
Elrond frowned, for he had previously heard nothing of this.
"Attacked you say? By whom?"
"Orc, and also by men.
"Men? I thought you traded with men and that your relations with them were good?"
Things would become yet more difficult if that were not the case after all. But it would explain why it was Legolas who visited when matters of state required and not his father, and why even those visits became infrequent.

She inclined her head with a serious expression.
"They are, or so I believe. He tolerates no outlaws or trappers within our lands but with a town of men the other side of the River some inevitably find their way into the fringes of the forest, and those of evil intent may hide themselves amongst the innocent for some time before they are detected. But we do not think that outlaws from Laketown were to blame for the attempts upon the king rather that the assailants were landless men from the east or who had come from further south. They had some skill at arms, more than would be expected of the men of the lake."
"Has this happened often?"
"More than once but it was not a common occurrence. The coming of the dragon ended such incursions and none from the east ventured west whilst Smaug held the mountain. Even orc did not enter the lands around the mountain during his residence."

Elrond digested that information in silence for a moment or two.
"And now?" he said eventually.
She sighed and sorrow settled upon her face.
"The battle before the mountain was a terrible one and we lost many who are greatly missed, but it also claimed most of the orc warriors and so gave hope of a time of peace and rest even in our grief. Now that the mountain is held by Dain and Dale by Bard it will not be so easy for those from the east or north to reach the forest undetected. Orc incursions were ever rare none have happened since the battle."
"So the king may venture abroad again?"
"Aye, much to his relief I think, though even now he never goes without a full guard."
Elrond nodded with a slight smile.
"Ah, the penalty of a crown! "
She smiled.
"Indeed, and this summer he will go back to Dale for the striking of the battlestone. King Bard, as he will be, is counted friend and ally and so the king will spend some time in the city. Of course he finds his son a great help and comfort and now he has returned from his travel some of the load may be shared."

Elrond gracefully inclined his head, detecting a faint hint of warning in her tone and wondered at the cause.
"I'm sure that is so. Will the prince join us this evening? We met him in the forest and he did not seem to be heading towards home."
"No, I believe not, he rode out at sunrise I understand, he has business in some of the settlements beyond the river and is not expected back until sunset tomorrow."
By this time they had left the guest quarters behind them and were once again on the soaring walkways that seemed to cross the heart of the stronghold. As before he was struck by the beauty of it and how the design had so gracefully followed what time and nature had provided, for there was none of the forcing of the stone as might be seen in a dwarf hall. But now he noticed other things too, the alcoves and galleries where archers might stand to launch arrows upon intruders, the half hidden junctions and shadowed niches where spear and swordsmen might be concealed, the deep wells into which those less graceful and sure footed than elves might easily be tipped. Looking at the walkways themselves he could see places where breaches could be made to stop an advancing enemy that might yet be easily repaired.

A stronghold in all ways.

The realisation of the truth of that, of the defensive nature behind all the beauty and grandeur, caused him a sudden sadness. It tore at his heart that Thranduil, an elf who had chosen to live amongst the Sylvan peoples and the forest, had needed to think of such a structure, much less to build it.

True to her word his escort allowed him to indulge his curiosity as he wished and they progressed only slowly towards dinner. He was not sure if she took him the shortest route but he found too much to gaze upon to give the matter much thought and he was not surprised to find all the rest of his party already assembled when they finally entered the allotted dining hall.

Elrond exchanged greetings as he took the cup of wine offered to him but he joined no conversation. Instead he took up a position near a fine polished harp that stood beside the hearth, occupying himself in staring at one of the carvings that stood at the corners of the room and listening to the swirl of soft words around him, noting how subdued some of his party had become since their arrival.

Estel had been amongst a small cluster beside the door but after a moment or two he inclined his head to his companions and crossed the room to join his lord. Elrond smiled down into the bright eyes as he greeted him, but he frowned on seeing some apprehension in his wards look.
"You look troubled Estel have you not been given all that you need?" He looked the boy over but he seemed to be properly dressed and groomed, "nothing looks to be amiss so what discomforts you?"
Estel shook his head.
"Nay, I have all I need my lord and more, they have been most thoughtful and hospitable. But it is true that I am a little troubled for much more is different here than I expected."
Elrond raised his brows in question.
"How so?"
The young mortal frowned and fiddled with the wine cup in his hand for a long moment as if debating what to say. Finally he sighed.
"It is much larger than I thought it to be, I am afraid of losing my way or falling from the paths."

There was a plaintive note in his voice, like that of a young child, and Elrond struggled not to smile, instead he inclined his head in agreement.
"It is large that is true, more so than I expected, I confess, but I think that that there will always be someone to direct you and they will think no less of you for asking for assistance."
He took a sip of wine but sighed slightly when he saw that Estel was far from being reassured." My escort this evening told me that all the passages and halls lead to places where the elves of Thranduil's household collect and so however deserted it may appear each path will take you to help if you continue to follow it." He said softly. "The exception is the one that leads to the Hall of Audience, where Thranduil's throne is, that traverses what they call the great vault, and the throne room can often be empty, though there are usually guards even when the king is not present."
He took another sip of wine before continuing.
"As for falling, I understand your fear but the paths are wide and if you stay from the edges there should be little danger."

"Yes but they are all so busy my lord." The words escaped the youth with a rush. "It does not seem that any of them are ever aimless, or simply sit and read or sing as they do at home. They move quickly and wherever they go there seems to be a purpose to it and I am afraid to be a burden."
Elrond smiled.
"I do not think you need to fear that for they are a kindly people and will understand your difficulty. Yet I understand what you say about their purpose, and I confess it was only as you spoke that I did so."
He looked around the room, at the tapestry and carving, the books that lined one wall, the fire that burned in the two large hearths. He nodded and spoke softly and slowly as the thought settled in his head.
"Yes, I see it. There is an energy here, a sense of something progressing, something to be done, that is not present in the same way at home. Imladris is a place of rest, of peace, but this is not. This is place of doing rather than of contemplation, of difficulties still to be overcome rather than to be remembered in song or verse. Perhaps it is just here within the palace but I see well what you mean. Yes, that might be one of the things that render our company so quiet and uncertain."

Estel nodded.
"Others have noticed it, they have told me so. They say it is not elvish, not…. ", he struggled for a word, "not…cultured."
Elrond shook his head in wonder at the remark; he could remember when to be elven was to be full of purpose, when everyday was a new journey, a new challenge. Had his race truly become so in thrall to their past that they could no longer understand what it was to live with a present that demanded their attention so urgently? Perhaps that was indeed the case for the Noldar and if it was so then their time truly was past. But did Cirdan feel that way he wondered, or Celeborn? Or did the world still hold interest and passion for them?
He got no further with the thought for Estel was continuing.

"The king too, he is not as I expected and I worry more now that I might offend him than I did when we were upon the road."
Elrond looked at his ward with a slight frown.
"In what way is he different? Did I not warn you about the nature of kings, did you think my words empty and without purpose?"
"No my lord, but even so he is not what I had thought to find. I confess that even after your warning I thought he would be much like another elf lord but with a crown upon his head. Yet he is not like another elf lord. There is a power in him, a depth and weight and…. and authority that emanates from him and which hangs about him like a cloak, and that I was unprepared for. Strangeness too; it seems to me that he is like the stone at the centre of the whirlpool untouched by the turmoil, the anchor point around which the waters swirl and dance."
A frown creased his brow.
"He reminds me much of Glorfindel and yet he is not twice born."

Elrond nodded slowly, glad at the boy's perception.
"No he is not twice born, but you are right there is some similarity. Where it stems from I know no more than you. But think on this, Thranduil and his father did not come to Greenwood as kings, princes though they were, nor did they come seeking to be kings, they were taken as such by the people he now governs. Those people are not children and are far sighted in many ways, and their magic is strong; they must have seen something in Oropher and his son that caused them to make such a choice and have adhered to it through the tribulations of two ages. Their love for their king is something of note."
Estel sighed.
"Indeed, I have thought much on this since we entered the forest, and of what you told me of the nature of kings, and I think it must take one of great heart and fortitude to build a land, a people, and be king where before there was no king, and still be loved. To be able to do that, and sustain it through great loss and sorrow, must surely be called greatness. Perhaps that is why they say he is a great king."

Elrond gave him a long look before he nodded with a slow and satisfied smile.
"That is so. I think it takes much wisdom too, both from within and learned; a wisdom that might not always be readily apparent. Do not forget that when you speak to him and do not be afraid of him judging you quickly or harshly, even though others with less wisdom might so judge him."
The young face took on a serious and surprised look for a moment and then a brilliant smile swept across it, one that carried a sudden understanding.
"No, I will not forget. Thank you."

Elrond got no chance to say more for a hand fell upon the boys shoulder and with a muttered apology from the owner of the hand he was swept away to join the huddle he had left. But his words had brought a sudden hope to his guardian's mind and a sense that if he could persuade the king of the necessity of his request all might yet be well.

xxx

He was just embarking upon his second cup of an excellent light wine when the doors opened and the king's party entered. Thranduil was as formally attired as he had been on greeting them, but now the deep green robe had been replaced by a lighter one of a delicate shade of lilac and he had exchanged his long boots for soft grey shoes. The crown on his golden head was unchanged though, and the flowers that twined it were as fresh and fair as they had been when first he welcomed them.

He had greeted them informally with a sweeping look, one that took them all into it, and a slight inclination of his head. His voice seemed low and yet it carried across the room without effort as he expressed the hope that they were refreshed after their journey and ready to enjoy his cooks efforts. They all replied with a bow and their thanks, though few met his eyes as they did so. He smiled slightly, a hint of something unreadable flitting through his own eyes.
"If you are in need of anything then speak with Galion," he indicated the butler behind him with a graceful wave of his hand, "he will be overseeing your needs for the time of your stay."

Elrond could not help but notice that Galion, who stood a pace or two behind the king, seemed less than delighted with the duty, nor did he miss the reproachful look the butler gave the king some moments later as he filled the royal wine cup. Thranduil seemed neither surprised nor offended by that look but returned it with one which mingled both sympathy and humour and even a hint of a faint apology; clearly the Elvenking was no despot to his servants.

It had been a quiet meal with little courtly formality for the king and just five of his inner circle had joined them, so small a party making it impossible for the visitors to avoid some conversation with him. Elrond found himself wishing for a larger gathering, one where he could keep the king firmly in his own orbit and manage his companion's interaction with their host. A wish that soon proved itself well justified.

The embarrassment had set in even before they were at the table..

In the dining room there had been hung a painting, a beautiful work of an autumn forest viewed from a high point above the trees, the light shining through the tracery of red and gold veined leaves was so cleverly done that the viewer almost expected to feel the gentle warmth of the autumn sun as they stood before it. One of his company, Nelor, young elf who was part of Erestor's staff he recalled, had been admiring it and pointing out its excellence to others of their group when the king had joined them, a pity then that his first words to their host had been as they were.
"A very fine work of great beauty my lord, an artist of some accomplishment I would say. From where did you obtain it for I am sure I have never seen it documented at Imladris?"
Elrond had kept his annoyance from his face with some effort, not only for the informality of the approach to the king but for the tone of voice, one of faint but unmistakable condescension, which made the underlying meaning of the words quite clear.

Thranduil had looked down into the face of the questioner without expression for a moment before he smiled slightly. His voice was silken smooth and soft as he responded.
"Nor would you for it has never been there, nor anywhere else in Arda. It is a work of my mothers hand painted in the days before the last alliance. It hung in the great hall at Amon Lac before we moved north and has never left my possession.
"A look of incredulity spread across Nelor's face, whether for the identity of the artist or the reminder of the king's history was not clear, and after a moment of awkward silence he smiled weakly and hurried into speech.
"I had not realised that your mother was an artist my lord, do any other of her works remain in your halls?"
Thranduil's brows rose and his voice was chill and dry.
"Some."

The king turned away and moved towards Elrond.
"I trust you are well settled and that you have all that you need? Your journey has been long and as I said if there is ought that you require merely make your needs known to Galion and he will see that they are attended to."
He let his eyes wander over the gathered company his expression unreadable before he looked back towards Elrond.
"If any of your company would prefer to dwell outside my halls and under tree rather than stone there are quarters within the forest that can be made ready on the morrow. Most of my people dwell within the forest so there will be company and protection enough for them. The guest houses are on the far side of the stable yards and so they will not be far should you have need of their services, Unless you too would prefer to lodge amongst the trees?"

Elrond shook his head.
"No I am more than comfortable in the quarters provided. Though I would like to walk in your forest if you could provide me with a guide, for I would not wish to put you to the trouble have sending out a search party for me."
Thranduil smiled.
"It is less dangerous than once it was but you are wise to be cautious, for it is less tamed than Imladris and so easier to be become lost in unless you know it well. You would be wise to urge caution upon your companions too for the forest has its own spirit and will and can seek to test those it does not know or those who it feels do not show it suitable respect."

Elrond smiled in amusement at the thought of an impish forest taunting some of his more superior companions.
"I will do so, for most will be expecting a forest of trees much like those within our lands."
The king's smile widened.
"That would be unwise, and might indeed bring some misadventures. As for yourself, your escort of this evening has been assigned to your for the duration of your stay, she will show you what you wish and keep you from venturing where danger lurks."

Estel had approached as they spoke standing back from the two elves in quiet respect whilst they conversed, but as the Elrond inclined his head in thanks he spoke up, curiosity heavy in his voice.
"Your people live in the forest Sire? But I was sure I had been told that they lived within your halls."
Thranduil stared at him with surprise for a moment before he laughed. Elrond looked at him in sudden concern wondering if the incautious words had been taken amiss but saw only humour in the king's eyes and the accompanying laugh had been light, even gentle.
"I cannot imagine who could have told you such nonsense," the king answered. "Nor why you would believe it," the smile softened a little, "but then one of your few years will not yet have knowledge enough to question it so why would you not. No, my Halls are large it is true but the people of my Realm number far more than could be comfortably housed within them."

Estel frowned
"Do they never dwell here then?"
The king gave him a considering look followed by a small shake of his head.
"At times of greatest danger or bad winter weather those who wish to may do so. Even then most will live outside its walls but close to the stronghold so that they may take shelter within it should a sudden need arise. Like those of the Golden Wood my people are most contented when closest to their trees and there are dwellings enough for them in the forest. Any who prefer not to live within stone walls, and have no need to do so, may dwell where seems best to them."

With that he inclined his head to Elrond once more and moved away to speak to Galion.

A look of remorse filled Estel's face as he watched the king go.
"I have offended him. I did not mean to do so but I have offended him. After all your warnings my curiosity led me astray and I spoke thoughtlessly, though in all innocence for I truly wished to know. I am sorry if my careless words have caused you embarrassment and for any difficulties they give rise to with the king. After all I promised to you I failed at the first."
Elrond smiled and placed a hand upon the boys arm.
"Do not be concerned, he has taken no offence. Did I not say but a moment ago that he will not judge you harshly? From another he might have taken the words amiss but his mentioning of your scant years was a signal that he understood your meaning and would not hold you to account for any lack of knowledge."
"Truly?"
"Truly. Did he seem concerned? There was no chill or distance in his look or tone was there?
""No, at least I did not think so as we spoke. But why then did he leave you so abruptly?"

Elrond laughed
"Did I not also tell you that he plays many roles? This night he is being our host and the gathering is small and informal with few servants. For his leaving at that time look to Galion, who caught his eye I think. Not offence but the duties of hospitality called him to answer some question of food or drink would be my judgement for his departure at that moment. See…. "
Even as he spoke the king moved towards the table and invited Elrond to join him with a wave of his hand.

With a last smile of reassurance Elrond went to take his place at the king's right hand.

xxx

Elrond and his guide strolled down an avenue of towering beeches through the soft early morning light in companionable silence. These were old trees and their canopy was wide, but as yet they were not in full leaf and sunlight still found its way through their branches and caused the woodland flowers that bloomed along the river to glow like gemstones set out on green silk. The babble of the water mixed with the sound of bird song brought a sense of life and energy to a scene that was otherwise tranquil. It was a morning when a walk in the forest needed no other purpose than to refresh the soul, yet their progress was not aimless for Galion had, with some reluctance, informed Elrond over breakfast that the king was at the butts, and it was there that he had requested to be taken.

It had come as a surprise to Elrond that the Elvenking spent some time each day at arms. Another sign of the battle that had been waged by his Realm, and another reason to wonder at the depth of anger he might yet find burning in his host. Elrond knew that Thranduil and his father had come across the mountains from the west at a time of great danger and hardship and so had been a warrior almost since the day of his majority and without any choice in the matter. His times of peace had been short and rare even after they settled in Greenwood, and yet only in a Realm truly beset would the King need to hone his skill at arms with such regularity. That he did so even as the shadow had retreated betrayed without any words his certainty that war would soon come again.

Elrond himself had put the sword away when he took up the lordship of Imaldris and had not wielded it in anger since the day they marched away from Mordor, at least not until recently. Glorfindel had spoken to him on the matter many times since the fortress at Dol Guldor had been built but he had taken little heed, for their small realm was well hidden and protected. The mountain peaks and the steep slopes of the valleys offered little scope for skirmishes with the enemy even if a marauding orc pack should find them, but no such pack had ever appeared at his door. Since Sauron's flight back to the east he had wondered if the day might come when they would do so and so he had resumed some measure of practice. Yet he could not help but feel that if the time came when he needed to fight in earnest they would already be lost.

They rounded a corner and came to a long stretch of grass between two lines of trees, in whose branches a series of lures could just be seen. Some fluttered amongst young green leaves, some glowed against the tree bark, others hung upon long thin strings beneath branches, whilst a few were just shadows that nestled deep in the heart of the trees. At the far end of the line were a small cluster of elves, amongst them Elrond could see the tall figure and golden head of the king.

His escort caught at his arm causing him to halt.
"We must wait until called forward, for there may be others amongst the trees who will fire from different angles. Arrows are fired to fall to ground for we would not cause pain to the trees without the direst need. Only in battle do our archers risk bedding an arrow in a tree."
Elrond nodded, he vaguely recalled being told that the archers of the Greenwood and the Golden Wood never set a target against a tree.
He looked to towards the kings group again and watched as they fired arrow after arrow, each one carrying snatching a lure and carrying them to earth as it fell. After Thranduil had fire his fifth arrow with an accuracy that seemed ot be at least the equal of any other, and more than some, Elrond turned to his companion.
"I thought that the king's weapon of choice is the sword? I recall him using the bow as a prince in Mordor, and that he was a fine archer, but after his father fell it seemed that he moved to use the sword."

She nodded.
"That is the case, these days the sword is his weapon in battle for it is harder for an archer to lead than a swordsman or a spearman. Gil-galad fought with the spear I recall."
"Indeed he did. But why then does the king practice with the bow? Though he seems to be a fine archer still, that is if his ability is to be judged by this bout."
"The king practices with all weapons our warriors use, though he gives most time to the sword; but he as good any in the forest with the bow. His son is a very fine archer too, as good as his father perhaps, though he uses a lighter bow than the king, but he is less accomplished with the sword I think."
She frowned.
"Though he has spent more time at sword practice since he returned home, perhaps the battle before the mountain had made him rethink his choice."

Elrond noted the remark with interest but made no comment instead asking her if she had a preferred weapon. She smiled.
"I am an archer too my lord, like many in the forest. Though my father was a spearman, he fell on the eastern slopes of the lonely mountain during the battle there."
He looked at her in shock. He had known the losses of the Greenwood elves were great, and that many he would meet would have some grief associated with the battle, yet he had not given any thought to that where those he had spoken to had been concerned. A surge of sympathy and sorrow ran though him as he replied.
"I am sorry. My apologies if I have stirred your grief by anything I have said in our time together."
She smiled slightly and shook her head.
"Be easy, you have not." A look of sadness crossed her face. "He was one of those who answered the call of Oakenshield when he burst out of the mountain. What plan the dwarf may have had I do not know, or even if he had one, but few of those who followed in his wake survived that day. I was with the king on the mountain spur and did not see my father fall, for which I am glad. Nor was he terribly wounded, for he was felled by an orc arrow and would have fled to Mandos quickly, for which I and my family also give thanks."

"You retrieved all of your dead then?"
"That we did, the king would have it no other way. It took many days but all were brought home and their bodies lie beneath the shelter of the trees as they would wish."
She looked up and the sadness faded from her face.
"Come we are summoned."

With that she led the way towards the group of archers.

xxx

They had spent a little time in discussing the practice, and a little more in debate about the merit of different types of bow, for those of Elrond's land used a different pattern to those of the Greenwood elves. Thranduil's bow was indeed larger than those of many of his archers, and heavier, with a longer range but harder to pull. Elrond, knowing the strength it took to wield a sword for hours wondered if those who were archers alone would have been as successful in its use.

Finally the king reached for his cloak and turned back towards the palace, his lords taking their cue and gathering at his back as he strolled beside Elrond and his guide. Thranduil seemed as relaxed as ever Elrond had seen him, his glittering smile coming often, his laugh ringing out many times at a remark from one of his attendants, his look soft and gentle as he trailed his fingers through the leaves of overhanging branches, of which there were suddenly far more than Elrond recalled.

As they drew nearer to the palace it occurred to Elrond that though he had not intended to speak of the matter so soon he would find no better time to make his approach. Yet he could not ask in this company, and if he followed the king to his own apartments his actions might be seen as presumption. As they walked on some part of his mind worried at the problem even as he traded reminiscence of other days and places.

As they reached the bridge the king waived his guard ahead and turned to face his visitor.
"I have not yet broken my fast. Will you join me for I believe there is something you are eager to speak of and the urge to do so soon grows upon you. Is that not so?"
Elrond looked up into the kings eyes and saw the amusement there and sighed.
"Am I so obvious then?"
Thranduil smiled.
"I am well practiced in reading such things and you have been distracted since we left the training grounds. In fact you have reminded me of Legolas when he was younger, who would answer all my questions of his day at the same time as he wondered how to keep the outcome of his answers from me."

Elrond gave a short laugh.
"An experience I recall from my own sons." He gave the king a rueful smile. "Yes I would speak with you and it is of the one who dwells with me as a son that I would speak."
The king nodded.
"I had surmised as much. Come then and we will talk as I break my fast."

xxx

Thranduil had not yet bathed or changed his clothes, though his robes for the day were laid out upon a chair, and was still dressed in a linen shirt and breeches. He was sat upon a high backed chair with bread and honey before him and a cup of honeyed milk to hand. Elrond had declined food but accepted tea and now sat with a steaming bowl between his hands into which he stared with frowning eyes.

He was wondering if he had done the best thing in accepting this meeting for now they came to it all the enormity of what he wished to ask had once again overwhelmed him. Thranduil's mood was as easy and warm as it had been in the forest and yet even dressed as he was the king in him was very apparent. Elrond wondered if he should have waited until after this evenings feast to make his approach for if this matter caused difficulties between them tonight's festivities would be very strained indeed.

Thranduil noted the frown as he buttered another slice of bread, clearly he would need to help matters along a little if they were to get to the heart of the matter before he need to prepare himself for the days business. Yet Elrond had seemed ready enough to speak when they stood in the forest, clearly whatever it was that he wanted it was no small matter, but then he had never assumed that it was. He swallowed his bread and reached for the teapot, casting a long look at his companion as he did so.

"What, then, would you ask of me?" He asked as he poured the fragrant brew into his bowl.

Elrond drew a deep breath, he had never doubted that Thranduil would suspect his reasons for coming here and had thought of many ways to lead them to this very question. Yet the king had gone straight to the heart of the matter and stripped all of his carefully prepared words from him. 'I should have known that he would,' he found himself thinking bitterly, 'he is after all much more practiced at such matters than I'. Something else Glorfindel had warned him of.
He shrugged with a faint smile.
"Now you ask me I find it hard to explain. No doubt the many stories I have heard of you play some part in that. Though I am sure that many of them originate here and are spread for reasons I can only guess at."
He caught sight of the glorious but wicked smile that curved the king's lips for a moment in the mirror on the other side of the room, but when Thranduil turned to offer him more tea his face was blandly innocent.

"Stories? Which stories are these that so bind your tongue? We knew enough of each other to judge the truth an age ago, how could any story of whatever kind change that?"
"You were not king then and I was but a herald who still had much to learn."
Thranduil seemed to consider that for a moment, his head tilted and eyes looking towards the floor.
"True, " he said slowly, he looked up. "Now I am a king and you are… the Lord of Imladris."
Elrond was sure that he had considered saying something else but changed his mind.
"Such stories can carry little weight with you. So I say again, what is that you wish to ask of me?"

"Estel. It is of Estel I would speak."
"I surmised as much why else would you have brought him here? But I cannot see how the needs of a mortal boy, even one of Isidur's line, could bring you here when an half an age of growing darkness has not."
There was a slight bite to the last words that caused Elrond's heart to sink, yet he knew it to be justified. He took another deep breath and raised his eyes to lock with Thranduil's.
"Do not think me unaware of the debt owed to you and to your people by others; it is no less because we did not understand the foes you faced."
He saw a chilly look descend upon the king's face, the blue eyes taking on the cold tint of a winter sky, and he raised his hand in supplication.
"I can only ask your understanding on that matter, we trusted to the defeat of Sauron more than was wise, a weakness on our part I will freely grant."

He sighed and looked down into his tea once more.
"Your warnings to us were just and should have been given more weight than they were, that too I will freely own. But I swear to you that until we went to challenge the Necromancer none truly believed it was Sauron returned. Some acolyte of his perhaps, seeking to draw force from the echoes of evil from Mordor, but not the shadow returned."
He looked up to meet the king's gaze again.
" Apologies I can offer you and your kin to the end of time and it will not make what was done right, nor will it ease the pain of your people's battles and losses. I ask only, as I have before, that you do not think that I judged your people to be of less worth than others, that I considered that they could be sacrificed for our peace."

When Thranduil remained silent the cold look still upon his face, his good humour clearly gone, Elrond sighed, for it
was too late to stop now, he could only continue.
"Do not think I do not know how our actions of that time might be seen. I know that I have no credit with you on which to hang my request, and I freely admit that I have one to make. You lost your father to the evil, you have sacrificed people and land to the shadow once again. Do you think that I cannot see that these later losses would not have happened had the ring been destroyed when it should have been? That Isildur should never have been allowed to take it? If you think that sits lightly with me be assured that it does not."
He drew a deep breath.
"And that is one reason I am here, why I seek your aid, to ensure that Estel does not become Isildur, to do all that can be done to ensure that he does not repeat the errors of the past."

Thranduil frowned but some of the coldness left his face.
"Why should this matter? He will rejoin his fathers people and take up the role he was born to. A chieftain of a northern tribe, great though their blood once was, will have none of the power of Isidur to shape the future. Unless…"
Thranduil's eyes widened in shock.
"You believe he will be the one to restore the crown of Gondor and re-unite the two kingdoms."

Elrond looked at him, sombre faced."I have the gift of sight, if gift it can be called, this you know. Nothing can be certain for the future is as fragile as fine glass and any I see may be shattered by many things. But there is a possible future before him that many would wish to see come to pass. One in which the evil of the ring will be banished at last and the blood of the men of the west may flower again."
His mouth twisted in a pained smile.
"Yet that bright path may itself be but the entrance to a different evil, and one that may prove as great a horror in the end as the malice of Sauron."

Thranduil gave him a hard look.
"There is evil resting the hearts of many men, even the greatest and the good can be so afflicted. Good itself may be nothing more than a bright gilding on evil, soon worn away with use and foolishness. Is this what you fear for Estel?"
Elrond sighed
"Not evil, for his heart is good and his very nature sound and noble For this reason have I reared him more elf than human with his mothers blessing, for this reason I have sought to teach him about the frailty of his race and the nature of power, young though he is. Yet I think there is a chance that events may fall out in a manner that would allow an evil outcome in the end, and I seek your help in preventing that, for I think that you may be the only one that can."

He looked up into Thranduil's face and saw a shocked knowing there. The king knew what he was about to ask.
Yet it had to be spoken between them, to hint and guess was not enough, it had to be said.
"It is much to ask I know given all that has gone before, but for the good of all I ask this of you."
He drew a deep breath and spoke softly.

"Teach him to be a king."