I apoligise for how insanely late this chapter is, but you must excuse me coz I've been ill. I hope this chapter doesn't disappoint.
Thranduil sat looking stunned when Haldir finished telling of all that had happened in Lothlorien since Legolas and his comrades had arrived. His eyes were dulled with sorrow when Haldir talked about the fall of Mithrandir.

"Ai, that is grievous news indeed!" sighed the Elvenking, who had always had much respect and admiration for the grey wizard. "He will be sorely missed."

"He certainly will." said Haldir sadly, looking shamefaced as he beheld Saeros weeping with his head in his hands. "Sire, may I apologise again for springing this news on you so unexpectedly. It was our belief that several of the woodland birds had passed this way with the intention of relaying these tidings as soon as we were aware of them."

"Do not trouble yourself so, Haldir." Thranduil told him kindly, moving to embrace his crying son. "Such news would cause a reaction like this no matter who passed it on and where it was told. Be at ease."

Haldir gave a weak smile in return, while Thranduil turned his attention to Saeros for a moment.

"Ssssh, ion-nin. Hush now." he murmured gently, rubbing Saeros's shuddering back comfortingly. "It's all right, tithen pen, we will all miss him too."

"I…I'm sorry Ada!" Saeros frantically dried his eyes, looking thoroughly ashamed of himself.

"There's nothing to be sorry for!" Thranduil told him firmly, drying the tears away. "Grief is nothing to be ashamed of."

As Saeros quietened, Thranduil turned his fair countenance back to Haldir. Despite the comforting words he had just given to his son, there was pure worry and fear etched all over his face.

"How was Legolas when you saw him?" he pressed. "Had he taken the news badly? Where do the Fellowship head for now?"

Haldir swallowed, desperately wanting to avoid these questions. How could he tell Thranduil that his youngest son was heading for Mordor, tracked by some fearsome new species of orc, and that the Lady of the Wood saw that one of the company would fall prey to the call of the ring?

"He was well when I spoke with him in Lorien." Haldir answered quietly. "He was distraught, naturally, by the fall of Mithrandir, but he was determined to hold true to their mission. He and Aragorn had fought valiantly in getting the company safely there."

"And the rest of the company?"

Haldir took a deep breath and proceeded, not entirely sure of how the two elves in front him were going to react.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

"A dwarf?" Saeros's eyes almost popped out of his head. Haldir nodded nervously.

"Their friendship has become strong; admirably strong." he said solemnly. "They overcame their differences and put the good of the company first. I think we could all learn a lot from them."

Saeros was still gaping dumbly, looked round to see how his father was taking this. His jaw almost hit the ground when he saw Thranduil shaking his head and…smiling! Oh, dear Valar, his Ada had lost it!

"I expected nothing less!" smiled Thranduil. "It is Legolas we are talking about, after all! When has he ever done what he has been told to do? First we tell him to be wary of humans and their ways and the first time he visits Imladris he becomes fast friends with Estel! Then we tell him that he is too young to go out on patrol duty, so he takes Adrahil's horse and goes anyway! I think I am past the stage where he can surprise me!"

Haldir smiled in return, feeling relief wash through him a little. He had truly been worried that Thranduil would be furious at his son for breaking centuries of tradition as regards disdaining dwarves. But is seemed he had underestimated the king of Mirkwood – his love for his youngest child outshone whatever his own personal opinions were on the little bearded miners.

"King Thranduil, I am afraid I yet have one more piece of news – one that may prove less pleasant to hear." Haldir cleared his throat. "While in Lorien, the Fellowship decided to proceed with the Ringbearer to the end. They took boats and headed down the Anduin. They are making their way to Mordor as we speak." (Haldir obviously had no idea of the dramatic turn things had taken on the banks of the river and so was presently unaware that the company had separated.)

Thranduil's smile vanished and he closed his eyes with dread.

"Mordor?" he whispered to himself. "Ai, little leaf, what are you thinking?" He remembered his own battle near Sauron's domain; the battle where he had lost his father and many of his dear friends.

flashback +

Thranduil was running through the mounds of bodies, searching frantically for the familiar face he had yet to see since the battle had been won. There were many elves of Mirkwood lying around him, their lives extinguished. So much death...so much blood! It made his heart ache.

Suddenly, he caught the flash of a silver circlet and his heart seemed to stop altogether.

"No!" he leapt over the body of one of Sauron's minions and ran through the carnage to fall to his knees beside the still, blood-soaked body of his father. "Ada!"

"I am glad to know you are safe, ion-nin." Oropher stirred and opened his eyes slowly. He reached up to touch Thranduil's tear-stained cheek with uncharacteristic tenderness. "I could not bear to go to Mandos without knowing you were well."

"Mandos? Please Ada, don't talk like that!" Thranduil cried, a sob sticking in his throat. "Stay with me, please don't go!"

"Hush, child, hush." Oropher soothed him, his breathing heavy and laboured. "We cannot change what is going to happen. You must let me go."

Thranduil gripped his father's hand, willing him to stay in Middle Earth - there was so much he needed to say to him before he died, but it was no use. Oropher's head fell lifelessly back onto the earth and never moved again.

Thranduil sat there, numb, with no knowledge of the time. He still held on tightly to his father's hand, as if he could transfer his own life into him. This couldn't be happening! His father was a strong king, an undefeatable warrior! He couldn't just die like a human - he was immortal! He was only brought out of his painful trance when a gentle hand was laid upon his shoulder.

"Mellon nin?" Thranduil raised his eyes and found himself staring into the caring face of Elrond. The two had been best friends for years, despite the disapproval of Oropher and Gil-Galad. It eased the pain in his heart ever so slightly to know that he had not lost everyone that he cared for.

"He's…dead, El!" he stammered quietly, as Elrond helped him to his feet and then put his arms around him.

"So is Gil-Galad." whispered Elrond and as one, they both began to sob; weeping uncontrollably in each other's arms for the loved ones that they had lost.

end of flashback +

The thought of losing one of his children in such a manner made Thranduil's throat tighten and his eyes sting.

Haldir and Saeros both noticed this and tactfully excused themselves, leaving the Elvenking to his thoughts.

As the door shut, Thranduil got to his feet and walked over to the glass case where his father's silver circlet lay gleaming in the light. He leaned his head against the glass; a somewhat child-like gesture that coneyed the depth of his pain.

"Ai, Ada, I have already lost so many that I cared about!" he sighed. "It would break me to lose one of my children!"

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

"I must admit, I was expecting fireworks when I mentioned the dwarf!" confessed Haldir, as they walked down the corridor together. Saeros smiled ruefully, his eyes still very red.

"You may get your fireworks yet, mellon nin." he sighed. "I am going to have to tell Aranwë!"