Author's Note: I am enjoying reading all of your theories so far. Some of you were right on the money when it came to Elrond's twins being tainted, some were not sure, and others were likely biding their time to see what else would happen. But so far, none of you have figured out the answer to the big question, which means I didn't do too shabby of a job crafting that little aspect. So kudos to me! Lol. I'm updating early today. Well, earlier... Anyhoosie, enjoy this next installment.

Thank you to all the fantabulous people who reviewed the last chapter: MariaJulietBituin, AraneltheSilvan, Nina, margie-me, and last but not least... TeenMuggle.

Chapter Eleven: The Plan

~LOTRLOTRlOTR~

Elladan shook his head 'no' for what he suspected was the 100th time since his brother started talking. Both had been confined to their room, and the only time the door opened was to give them food or drink. Elrohir had foolishly tried to sneak past the guard but was caught and given a stern reprimand to not do so again or they would both be taken back to the dungeons. Now both twins sat on the edge of one bed, taking in sustenance as they devised a plan of escape. The only problem was, in Elladan's expert opinion, was that his brother was coo coo crazy.

"There is too much meat in this salad. What is so wrong with leafy greens without the aid of dried boar haunches? Elladan asked, in an effort to shift the subject.

"Ah, I got it," Elrohir declared. "We stop eating until they grow concerned and take us to the king, but before that happens we overpower the guards and then make a break for it."

Elladan stifled his twentieth eye-roll. "And what is to prevent more guards from hearing the commotion and coming after us?" he asked dryly, taking a bite of lettuce and beef.

"I don't hear you coming up with any good ideas," Elrohir snapped, viciously stabbing his fork into his own salad.

"It is a little difficult to contribute anything when you've been talking for an hour straight!" Elladan bit back.

"Well, at least I'm not drolling on and on about salad! I'm actually trying to help us!"

"Help? Please, with your ideas we'll be kneeling in the throne room bound and gagged."

Elrohir threw his hands up, apparently not interested in quarreling with his brother. "Fine. Then what do you suggest we do?"

"That we stay."

Elrohir stared at his brother as if a limb suddenly grew out of his neck. He slammed his bowl down beside him on the mildly firm cot, producing a muffled clang, and then whirled toward him, eyes blazing. "Are you insane? You saw what happened to us in the dungeon... what happened to you. And you want us to stay!? Why don't we just kill each other now, save father and the king the trouble!"

Elladan spoke calmly in an attempt to cool his brother's anger. "Ro, if they were going to kill us don't you think they would have done so already?"

"Well, no… they probably need time to decide the method of our demise. That's why it's taken so long," Elrohir replied confidently.

Elladan rolled his eyes. "They are likely caring for Legolas right now. We did a terrible thing to him and we deserve confinement. In fact, we should count ourselves fortunate that we are not locked in the king's dungeons right now without this food or drink."

"Terrible?" Elrohir scoffed. "All we did was frighten the boy. It's not my fault the prince doesn't have thicker skin." Besides, I will do far worse to him if Ada finds out our little secret and this time no one will come to his rescue."

"Do you think he knows, Ro?"

Elrohir heard his brother speak, but it was the young voice his almost-adult brother used that reminded him of when he was a small child. "I don't know, El. But you have my word that I will keep you safe from him. And I won't let the Elvenking hurt you again."

It was agonizing to go through, even though I have no wound. Much worse than the time that orc stabbed me," Elladan admitted.

"I remember that well. You didn't stop crying until father gave you a drought to help with the pain."

The young twin smiled wistfully. "Father was so furious that day. Do you remember?"

"I remember."

"After he tended the wound, he left the room without explanation, returning later clad in his shinning amber armor. His bright eyes were darkened with raw purpose as he told me of what he would do, and then he departed without another word."

"He didn't come home that night," Elrohir supplied distantly.

"By the time he returned I had fallen fast asleep, and when I awoke in the morning it was to find our father staring down at me, a proud smile on his lips as he told me that the orc would never harm me again. I felt so safe in his presence and believed every word."

"I did as well," Elrohir admitted in a small voice, regret coloring every word.

Elladan turned tear-filled eyes toward his brother. "Ro, I miss father. I miss the way he used to be."

Said twin brought his brother into his arms, gently rubbing his back. "I know. I do too." He pulled away. "But we must face the fact that he has changed." His brother nodded. "We must escape Mirkwood before he comes back to do something to us. Are you with me?"

"I'm with you," Elladan replied, wiping his eyes with his sleeve.

"Good. Then after we finish this meal, we shall leave," Elrohir replied.

The younger twin paused in thought and then smiled. "I have some idea of how that can be accomplished."

Elrohir grinned at his brother. "Go on..."

~LOTRLOTRLOTRLOTRLOTRLOTRLOTRLOTRLOTR~

Thranduil was fairly certain this was the longest time the elf lord had ever gone without speaking. The silence had grown to such an unbearable level that the Elvenking was tempted to break it himself, be it either a throat-clear or the tapping of his foot on the marble floor. But while it would serve to break the long silence, given their proximity to one another it would most definitely startle the elf lord, so he refrained. For the time being, anyway. If the silence and tension persisted, he would not be held accountable for what would happen.

"I'm patient, I can wait." Thranduil recalled the words spoken to Thorin Oakenshield. Thranduil was patient, possessing much mastery of such a virtue more so than many of his kin. But his seemingly unending patience reached its end when there were no fruits to reap; when nothing happened. Ai!, he was so bored!

Thankfully, one of the Valar took pity on him, for life suddenly returned to Elrond's eyes and he stepped away from the Elvenking.

"Tainted?" He shook his head. "You must be mistaken. I kept that fell object far from my sons, they never had contact with it."

"Perhaps," Thranduil replied levelly, trying to keep the relief from his voice. "But they have likely had contact from you."

The blood rushed from the healers face. "No, impossible. I never laid a hand on them when I was under its influence. It couldn't have happened."

Thranduil's voice was gentle and caring, nary a shadow of the anger that used to be there. "Surely you could not have been aware of every action. You may have done it without even realizing it."

Elrond ran a hand over his face and stood up, padding over to the hearth where he absently watched the flames dance their deadly dance, the unseen spectators of such event crackling in anticipation. It was some time before the elf lord spoke, and when he did it was with a voice Thranduil had never heard before, devoid of all feeling and dull to the ears.

"If I have done what you say, then I am responsible for every terrible occurrence that that happened thus far. Horror colored his features, desperation entering his once equable voice. "Send in your soldiers and have them take me to your deepest dungeon."

Thranduil strode over to him in sure strides, his elven shoes lightly striking the marble. The glow of the fire cast a red glow around his visage, the platinum strands of his hair starkly contrasting against it and darkening his eyes. He was no Elvenking in Elrond's eyes, but an avenging spirit come to take his soul and drag him back with him into the flames.

Despite himself, Elrond flinched away from Thranduil. "No, do not touch me! I am poisonous. Send in your guards and I will allow myself to be led away willingly without the need of restraints."

"Relax, Elrond," Thranduil crooned gently. "If I believed you posed any threat you would already be in my dungeons." He released his hand from the peredhel's chest, glimpsing the apprehension in his gaze.

"How can you be so sure I am not lying in wait for the opportunity to kill you? You seemed to think I was capable of doing so already. You may be putting your life at risk right now, and by touching me, you have surely doomed yourself."

Thranduil shook his head. "Then I have surely doomed myself long ago, for this is not the first time we have had contact. Do you not remember my hands around your throat?" Thranduil lifted up his bandaged hand to eye level. "And unless you have an untapped ability to wrap wounds without the aid of your hands, this most surely counts as well. But why stop there? After all, your sons have had contact with my son. We are all doomed, are we not?"

Elrond stared hard at the king, gauging every movement and facial change with fine proficiency. "I don't understand… If I spread to you what darkness is within me, why are you not expressing any symptoms like my sons? And why is Legolas?"

Thranduil sighed heavily. "Has it been so long that you have forgotten?"

"Forgotten what?" Elrond questioned.

"We dwell in Mirkwood. A realm where the darkest evil festers and spreads through our lands, infecting everything it touches. Not even my kin are exempt from it, and even the strength of my own fëa is not enough to resist it. Don't you see? All of us are already tainted."

Elrond's eyes blew wide in shock, and his voice came out in a breathy whisper. "It cannot be. You all behave so..."

"That is because we are normal," Thranduil finished. "Being tainted does not make us evil. We still have control over our bodies and minds. Even the shadowed trees still have some of their will left to not be a slave to the Darkness and would help us if we were in need of it. But all would not be so if we did not do one thing, something your kin have no need of in your realm of Light. We do not glow."

Elrond stared intensely at the king's features and then at his hands. He hesitated a good moment before lifting one of them to compare it beside his own. His own skin gave off a faint light, but Thranduil's did not radiate even the smallest glimmer, appearing just as a human's instead of an elf blessed by the Valar.

Elrond's mouth was dry, but he spoke despite it. "I remember you telling me of this, but I still do not know how it is done. Even I, with all my ages, have not been able to dim my glow completely, as you see."

"That is because you have no need to do so. We keep all of our inner light within us to guard our minds and hearts so that we are never made slaves of the Darkness that lies all around us at all times, but your realm free of such a burden and your people have no need of hiding their Light, so you do not possess the ability to do so completely.

Before you traveled to this realm I advised you and your kin to lower your inner light as much as possible while passing through my woods. You did not need to do so completely because your passage would be brief, as would be your stay here. But my regiments fighting the fell creatures in the forest are often there for many days, and as such, the darkness would seek out their lights and try to destroy them if they were to show them in the open."

"That makes sense," Elrond conceded. "Though, it still does not answer why I have seen you break that rule for your son."

"In this palace, we are far enough away from the forest to be able to do so without fear here, but only for a brief time," Thranduil replied.

Elrond sighed, his hands massaging his temples as if they ached. "It would seem the long years have robbed me of this knowledge."

Thranduil moved away the peredhel's hands with care and put his hands on his head, one on each side so that his fingers clasped over the crown of his head. Then he began to speak. "Even the stones in a river are not immune to the touch of time, chipped away by the rushing water until they are nothing but the sand they rest upon. If time did not exist, what would happen?"

Elrond took in a short breath. The Elvenking's fëa thrumming against his skull was a little surprising, but he did not make any move to stop him. "The stone would remain intact, untouched by the water," he replied. "Since time would not exist, nothing would be changing. Even the blood flowing through our veins would cease to move and render the heart unfunctional with nothing to pump, thus causing a mass extinction of all life.

"Quite grim, isn't it."

"Yes, indeed it is," the healer agreed. "Fortunately for us, time is a constant. Though it chips away at our memories, at least it does so or life as we know it would cease. A few lost memories is better than the destruction of all life." He gave Thranduil a wry smirk. "That is what you wanted me to say, is it not?"

Thranduil nodded, mirroring the peredhel's expression. "Indeed, though I admit the question was mostly to engage your mind while I healed it." He removed his hands from the peredhel's temples and the thrumming stopped. "You will no longer suffer any headaches from the knowledge you have gained nor from anything you learn of hence."

"I am thoroughly impressed, Thranduil. I guess you don't need me anymore, for Mirkwood is in capable hands with her Elvenking healer."

Thranduil saw the glimmer of mischief in Elrond's eye and knew he was only speaking in jest. "I am curious why you have not already rid yourself of such a burden. Surely a healer of your caliber knows of such an elementary technique."

"Yes, I know well of it and have for some time. But though I am grateful to you, I would prefer not to say the reason why I have not applied such knowledge."

"Thranduil inclined his head respectfully. "As you wish."

The elf lord's disposition faded to one of stoic shrewdness once more. "Getting back to the topic at hand, though I am greatly relieved in knowing you are all immune, the fact remains that I am not. I am a loose cannon, a pawn of the enemy, and it would be wise of you to put me somewhere where I can do no one harm. Please, Thranduil," he added.

Thranduil did not answer right away, giving Elrond more time to speak. Then, when it became apparent no further words would come forth, he spoke.

"There is one more thing we Mirkwood elves have mastered. We can sense the darkness in others."

Elrond perked up at this, the subject apparently drawing his interest. "Another inherent ability?"

"Indeed. I sensed it in your sons and I've sensed a lingering shroud of it over my son from their touch. But I tell you now that whatever inhabited you is now gone. You are clean, Elrond."

Elrond nodded, though he did not give any indication that he believed the king, and instead, came to stand on the other side of the bed, apparently intent on silently observing.

Thranduil paid him no need, speaking to his son in a quiet voice.

"Legolas, I cannot promise that this will be easy... nor painless, but I will do all I can to make your final healing possible. Take this time to rest and recover your strength, for you will have need of it soon." He pushed an errant strand of hair back to its proper place and frowned when he saw a drop of blood on his son's cheek. Before he could do anything his hand was grabbed, and he turned to find the healer examining it with a scrutinizing gaze.

Elrond peeled back the bandage, not missing the light gasp from his patient. "This cut is deep, and for that, you have my apology. The knife I used has never been tested before."

"And you thought I would make a good test subject?" Thranduil replied testily. "I've seen your hands in action, even a new blade does not cause them to falter."

"Yes, but when that blade can slice through bone, even the lightest pressure can cause significant damage. I barely grazed your flesh and look what happened."

Thranduil peered down at his hand and blanched. "That explains why it has been paining me," he responded.

"You have been in pain? Thranduil, why didn't you tell me?" Elrond lamented.

"Because I thought it trivial or the product of my imagination. But once the pain persisted I realized it was real."

Elrond hummed in response, swathing the king's hand in another layer of makeshift bandages. "This should prevent it from bleeding through, but as soon as this ordeal is over with I must insist upon a thorough cleansing to prevent infection."

Thranduil hummed noncommittally, wiping his son's cheek with the pad of his thumb, which came away red.

Elrond spoke. "I will leave you before he wakes."

Thranduil stopped him with a hand. "Elrond, remain here," he said firmly. "This must be dealt with."

Elrond's legs weakened further but he did not sway. He could not believe how foolish and ignorant he behaved and knowing the repercussions of his lack of foresight was almost enough to make him despair in ever setting things right again. Almost. Living through ages of hopelessness and hope had given him almost an instinctual ability to recognize the smallest bit of light in a bleak situation. There was still hope, though very little. But Elrond was determined to find the spark and nurse it back to a flame, no matter the cost to himself. Legolas would surely never forgive him, and Elrond would not blame him for it, but at least Legolas would live to do so.

Elrond nodded knowingly and sat down. "I will do what is necessary, whatever that may be."

~LOTRLOTRLOTRLOTRLOTRLOTRLOTRLOTRLOTR~

Elrohir stood apprehensively before his brother, his arms crossed. "Are you sure you've done this before?"

"Yes, now you must hurry," Elladan urged, nudging his brother toward the open window.

"Why am I going first again?"

"Because I had to endure the punishment. Now get moving before the guard comes back to serve us another meal or something worse."

Elrohir hesitated briefly before lowering one of his feet down onto the outstretched branch beneath him, only to pull his leg back when it suddenly recoiled, creaking and groaning with the effort. "What does it say?" he asked his brother. Elladan was the only one who could understand the language of the trees thanks to lessons from the Mirkwood prince. Elrohir had teased his brother about it, stating that it was a useless skill to have in Rivendell where the trees spoke differently, but now he was more than glad that one of them took the time to learn such a skill.

Elladan closed his eyes, listening to the formless noise until it took shape in his mind. "It says we are prisoners of the realm and it cannot interfere."

"Tell it that we were wrongly imprisoned for only defending ourselves against Lord Elrond, our father." The branches and leaves of the tree shook in response, putting the elder twin on edge. Though he knew it would do no good, he gripped the knife hidden away in his shirt pocket. It had been lying on the table after the king left them in the dungeon, and Elrohir had snatched it thinking how short-sighted it was on the Elvenking to leave it there within reach. "Elladan, what is it saying?"

Said twin closed his eyes in concentration, and after a few minutes, he opened them, terror widening them. "Ro, look out!"

Elrohir could only look on, glued to the spot he was standing as two branches shot through the window, their sharp points darting through the air in an apparent effort to skewer the two Noldor. Then, at the last possible second, he was yanked back, falling backward onto his rescuer as the momentum sent them both tumbling to the ground.

A groan.

"Are you harmed?"

The elder twin checked himself over and then pushed himself to his knees. "No, I don't think so. Are you?" The younger twin shook his head and stared past him, leery of the open window as he carefully got to his feet. "I take it the tree does not want us to escape," Elrohir pointed out, but Elladan only shuddered in response. The dark words the tree spoke would not long be forgotten.

"Hey..." Elrohir tapped his brother's shoulder. "What did it say that is so horrible you cannot speak of it?"

"I will never tell you, for the burden will always be my own. But I will tell you what else it said. The tree will not let us leave because of our father's crime."

Elrohir gaped. "Father committed a crime?"

"Yes, a very serious one. He harmed the prince," Elladan responded.

"Is no one safe from the monster?!"

Elladan gave him an unexpected smile, resting a hand on his shoulder. "Do not despair. This is good news!"

Elrohir gave him a pointed look. "Are you sure you did not strike your head when you fell, brother?"

"Listen to me," Elladan demanded. "Father will be punished for his crime and likely be locked away in the Elvenking's dungeons. Don't you see? He cannot harm us anymore if he is locked in a cell, so we have no need to escape. They are likely still dueling as we speak."

"No, that won't work. Even if one kills the other the alive one will come seeking us. Our only recourse is to escape."

Elladan's shoulders slumped, the logic in his brother's words becoming known. "We cannot. Our only chance was to climb down the tree and now that said tree wants to skewer us alive, that will be impossible."

"What if you talk to it, tell our side of the story. We too have been harmed by our father, and it may give the tree reason to help us."

"I admit it's worth a try, but if we're wrong we will be dead," Elladan cautioned.

"I have faith in us. Now go bargain as thought your life depends on it." He gave his brother a mild smack against the back.

Elladan took a deep breath and then took a few cautious steps forward, making sure to stay a good distance away in case they needed to drop and roll.

"Before you kill us, please hear me out." He waited for a sign of protest and then continued when nothing happened. "Both me and my brother have been harmed by Lord Elrond. He is evil and a danger to our friend Legolas the prince." The tree rustled in response, but Elladan continued unabated. "We were wrongly imprisoned for defending ourselves against Lord Elrond, and my brother and I fear that he will harm us again if we do not escape these lands." More rustling. "But we cannot do so without your aid." Then there was silence.

"I guess it didn't work..."

The tree shuddered and gave a woody groan.

The twins tensed the muscles in their legs, prepared to dodge any branches at a seconds notice. Then, all was still and silent. Elrohir turned to his brother and was surprised to see his eyes closed. He was further surprised by the smile.

"The tree will help us," Elladan told him joyfully.

Elrohir took in a starved breath and allowed his brother to lead him toward the window. Just as before, a branch was positioned beneath them a few inches past the windowpane, but this time it did not recoil when Elrohir placed his foot onto it, and instead, moved another of its branches under the one he stood on.

"My balance is not very good, little brother."

"Be not afraid. The tree will catch you if you should fall," Elladan replied.

Elrohir took some comfort in his brother's words as he climbed down to the next branch and then the next, the tree thankfully creating a staircase with its limbs for the half-elf to use. As he neared the last few feet, a tremor jolted through his legs, making the branch beneath them quake.

But there was no time to even express his fear before he felt another branch grab hold of his torso, steadying him. Elrohir stared upward at his brother, wordlessly speaking with his gaze to which his brother responded in turn. Elrohir was now certain that the tree would keep him safe, and emboldened by the strong branch still gripping him, he descended the rest of the way down.

Once on the ground, he thanked the tree for its service, watching the limb around him uncurl and move back to its original position. Then he shouted up at his brother. "Climb down while I get our horses." His brother gave a nod and Elrohir spun on his heel, heading for the stables which were thankfully not too far away.

Elrohir walked slowly, keeping his footsteps as silent as possible so as to not spook the horses. When he came upon his own horse, she whickered happily at him, her trusting brown eyes meeting his own. Elrohir gave her a gentle pat on the neck and then unlatched the gate, scooping the tack into his arms and that of his brother's horse before freeing his animal as well. He made quick work of getting both horses ready, nimble hands sliding over and slipping through soft leather and warming bits. Not quickly enough, but in a reasonable amount of time, both horses were ready.

A deep whicker sounded behind him, making the twin turn cautiously.

A deep chestnut stallion with a white blaze running from its nose to its forehead stared directly at him, the small slits of sunlight shining on its polished rich coat as it stood motionless.

Elrohir smiled to himself, the perfect plan already stewing in his mind. He approached the gate and unlocked it, holding out a hand to beckon the horse forward. But instead of moving forward, the stallion took a few steps backward, ears pulled back in defense, eyes never leaving the twin's.

"Why are you acting so strange?" Elrohir questioned, taking another step forward. "I'm not going to harm you." He spoke a few words in elvish. Still, the horse did not move.

Elrohir became frustrated and considered forgetting his perfect plan when an idea came. "Maybe this will help..." He closed his eyes and his inner glow grew much brighter, caressing his skin in soft ambient light.

The horse came forward almost immediately, whuffling against the palm of his hand with its velvety nose.

"There, you see? I mean you no harm," Elrohir spoke warmly to the animal, leading him out of the gate. Before he could talk himself out of it, he tacked this horse as well and led all three of them out of the stables, making his way back to his brother who watched him from the ground, his body leaning against the trunk of the tree in expectancy.

"Thank goodness you came. I was growing worried that you were caught." Elladan caught sight of the extra horse and turned inquisitive eyes back to his brother. "But why did you bring three horses? There are only two of us."

"No time to explain. We must mount and make it past the border and then I will tell you of my plan." Elrohir mounted and then kicked his horse into a canter.

"Where will we go?" Elladan asked, coming abreast of the mare.

"To Lothlorien," Elrohir replied, before urging his steed into a gallop, the steed of the Lord of Imladris following behind them.

Author's note: Yep, they stole Lord Elrond's horse. Naughty, naughty! What do you think Elrohir is planning to do with the proud stallion?

Next update: Saturday - Legolas finally wakes up!