Author's note: I am super sorry about leaving you all with the cliffy for a little over a year. In short, a math class from hell and commitments to finding the flow of a new college kept me super busy. But I'm back now and I have a bit of a break before I double up on my classes. No choice :( On the bright side though, it seems I picked up some new readers, so welcome to the party you guys! Well, in retrospect, it's more of a wake, isn't it? On that cheerful note, I hope you all enjoy the new chapter! Lol

Thank you ever so much to all the lovely people who have reviewed, and a special thank you to those of you who reviewed the last chapter: JulsaIthil, AraneltheSilvan, Nina, margie-me, and Mustard Lady.

Small warning:

I never thought there would come a day when I would write about this particular aspect of parenting, but it is an import part of this story. If you haven't already guessed, there is going to be some parental punishment mentioned. I do not go further than that, but I wanted you to know in case you expect different. I know there are some frankly disturbing versions of Thranduil, so don't worry, my Thranduil is not going to change :)

Without further ado, please enjoy this super long chapter!

Chapter Nine: Revelations

~LOTRLOTRLOTR~

Elrond was physically unable to speak, glued to the chair as if they were one. He could only look on with horror as the once sweet and innocent elfling stared him down, the sharp blade now so close that he could almost feel the cool kiss of the metal against his flesh.

"Defend yourself, peredhel," Legolas almost spat the word as icily as his father did, his eyes dark with pain and anger as he rounded on the elf lord.

While most elves would have drawn their sword at this point, Elrond merely rose to his feet and lowered himself to the ground. He spoke calmly, almost peacefully.

"I swear to you by all that is good that whatever I did to you was not of my will but an accident. If I am to die by your hand, then I offer my life as penance for the wrongdoing I have inflicted upon you. I hope that after I am gone you can find it in your heart to forgive me."

Spreading his arms wide in complete submission, he held the gaze of the elfling a while longer. Then his eyes closed and the blade fell.

The clang of a blade resounded through the room in unison with heavy wood clashing against stone.

"Legolas don't!" Thranduil cried, breaching the room more in the manner of a heavy wind than an elf. His eyes cut to both of them and finally landed upon his sword; not in the hand of his son, as he expected to find, but lying harmlessly on the floor. But this did not mean much. Thranduil finally saw the elf lord where he knelt–appearing to be unharmed, and then his son. However Legolas, he realized, was hunched over on his knees.

Sparing no more time, Thranduil ran over to him and carefully enveloped his son into his arms. "Legolas… Shhh, it's over now," the king soothed, gently rocking his son in an effort to calm him. Thranduil's eyes raked meticulously over his son's small form, lingering long enough to discern no injuries were there before moving on to his hands, which were thankfully not cut in any way. Legolas was perfectly fine…in body. His spirit was another matter, and Thranduil felt his anguish with each tense and jolt beneath his hands as his son sobbed.

"I wasn't going to kill him," came a small whine, pitiful sounding to his ears and making his stomach knot. "I just didn't want him to hurt me anymore."

Thranduil sighed, now partially suspecting that his harsh entrance had been seen as lack of faith in his son. "I know," he began simply, "I know you are not a murderer, Legolas. Adar just got scared for a moment, that is all."

Legolas pulled away from his father, brow furrowing in confusion. "You were scared?"

Thranduil didn't know why his son would ask such a question of him. As a king and a father Thranduil was prone to shield Legolas from the harsh realities, keeping much of what he felt and definitely feared to himself. Perhaps he did too well hiding his vulnerabilities.

Thranduil nodded to affirm his son's suspicions. "Yes, Legolas. Even scary Elvenking's get scared sometimes." He internally cringed when Legolas offered no response. Instead, Legolas kept steady eye contact with him and Thranduil felt as if his child was reading his entire lifetime, every experience and hurt he had ever felt, but something Legolas saw made him lower his head in what appeared to be shame.

The Elvenking would not allow it.

Thranduil gently tipped his son's chin upward, the uncertain gaze of his son meeting steel. "Do not be ashamed of yourself. Fear is a natural response of the body when faced with something that could harm us or our loved ones. It keeps us alert and can drive us to do extraordinary things."

"Or very reckless things," he added, turning toward the peredhel who gave the barest hint of a smile in response.

"But just because fear has its uses," he told his son, "that does not mean we should lower our guard and accept it inside our hearts and minds. As a matter of fact, you should never let anything impure enter there." But you have allowed it to enter, my son, and it has seeped into you like a poison, slowly consuming you from within. This is why I left you alone, no matter how much pain it caused me, and the pain was great. Far greater than you will ever understand until you are a father with children of your own to constantly worry about. But I would endure the greatest agonies of this world a thousand times over for you, my little leaf. "You needed to be tested." The Sinda said lastly.

There were many expressions the Elvenking had expected to be seeing. Curiosity, acknowledgment, and perhaps sadness. But the way Legolas was looking at him now could only be described as awe, but it was on a level Legolas had never shown before.

"Legolas, why are you looking at me like that?" Thranduil tried to piece together why his son could be feeling that emotion, and his eyes widened in surprise.

Ion-nin, can you hear me in my mind?

Yes.

Thranduil's small smile grew to an enormity as he heard the words spoken in his mind, and he crushed Legolas in an embrace. "You can hear me! You can actually hear what I'm thinking!"

"Ada, what does this mean?" Legolas asked.

Thranduil released him, grinning from ear to ear. "It means you can finally feel our bond! You can reach it!" The Sinda exclaimed, hardly able to contain his excitement.

Legolas's brow crinkled in confusion. "What is a bond?"

"It's a special connection only you and I share. If you are ever hurt or in need of aid I can find you as long as you allow it and give you some of my strength if you are in need of it."

"Do you mean I can choose whether I want you to find me or not?"

"Yes. It is your choice whether you want to open up your mind to me, and if you do not, I cannot reach you. We are also able to send emotions to one another." To prove his point, Thranduil sent his son a significant amount of joy.

Legolas gasped softly.. slowly turning into a laugh.

Then Thranduil sent love through their bond, vibrant and life-giving.

Legolas pulled back, his eyes glistening. "I love you too, Ada." He kissed his father's cheek, burying his chin in the crook of his shoulder.

Thranduil saw Elrond smile as he brought his own arms around Legolas. It was genuine and bright, reaching his eyes in such a way that it made them light up with joy, and Thranduil could not help but reciprocate the infectious expression and smiled back in the same manner. This was an important milestone in his son's life, and both of them knew it.

Thranduil spoke hesitantly, wanting his son to know, but not particularly pleased to be telling him the information.

After a while, Thranduil pulled back, gazing at his son intently. "Legolas, I left you alone to face your fear alone. You were using me as a crutch when you should have been depending on yourself. I know that it might not have seemed fair, but you needed to be tested in this way."

"I know, Ada. I figured it out soon after you left," Legolas replied quietly.

Thranduil smiled proudly. "I am impressed. Does… does that mean you forgive me?"

Legolas recognized the undertones of guilt in his father's voice. He spoke quickly. "I forgive you." The release of breath told him that his words had helped. "Now you must forgive yourself."

Not for the first time, Thranduil wondered why he was gifted with such a son. He could only display his satisfaction with a bright smile, but inwardly his gratitude was insurmountable. "Such a wise elfling you are."

Legolas felt his cheek's flush at the compliment, and he bashfully lowered his head.

Thranduil smiled cheekily. His son didn't handle praise too well. He was glad of it though, for it showed a humble character. An urgent thought scratched at his mind then, forcing him to abandon the slightly more trivial ones. He fixed him with a look of grim acknowledgment, and the silence that ensued made Legolas raise his head, mirroring his expression.

"For the most part," Thranduil began, the very air humming with the urgency his tone carried. "I think you have conquered your fear, for which I could not be more proud of you, despite what could have occurred."

Legolas hesitantly spared a glance to the healer, relieved his gaze was fixed in another direction for the moment, and turned back to his father. "You mean… Elrond's death."

"I am not only speaking of Elrond's death," Thranduil clarified. "You could have been harmed as well."

Legolas tensed, seemingly expecting the answer.

Thranduil continued. "To state one reason, handling my sword was dangerous. I have crafted it to my own specifications and weighted it according to my strength. It is dangerous for anyone other than myself to wield it. Even in lifting it, the blade rests heavily on the hilt and could have tipped you off balance if you were not ready and you could have fallen. Thank the Valar that adrenaline gave you the edge needed to wield such a blade or…"

Legolas did not know the reason for his father's pause, having not felt the sadness and fear that was being kept from him. Instead, he mistook the silence as anger and tried to make amends for his actions.

"I know I'm not aloud to touch your sword, but please don't be angry with me. It… was all I had." Legolas felt callused fingertips lift his chin and raise it to eye level, and he looked into sorrowful grey eyes, perplexed by the emotion he saw there.

Thranduil shook his head, speaking gently. "I am not angry with you, ion nin. I know you believed you had no other means to defend yourself." The king brushed his cheek with the back of his hand. His heart warmed when Legolas leaned into it.

The apprehension disappeared and was replaced by a relived smile. Legolas did not speak of the sorrow he had seen in his father's eyes, for a part of him knew that it was not the right time. Instead, the prince decided that broaching a new topic would be in his father's interest.

"And what's the other reason?" he asked.

Thranduil dropped his hand back to his side. "Extreme anger is a danger in itself. It can fragment the soul, at worst, but it can also give our enemies a way to find us.

Legolas stared at the shadows in the corner of his room as if they would swallow him up, eyes flicking nervously to the window.

Thranduil saw this and felt his son tense under his touch as if the shadows had taken shape. He tried to remedy his fears, speaking gently so as to not startle him. "Do not fear the Darkness here. There is enough concentrated light to shield us while we remain within our borders."

Legolas relaxed a little at this, but he was still very tense, reminding the king of what needed to be done.

"But," Thranduil continued quickly, "that does not mean we allow the anger to fester inside of us. On the contrary, suppressing such feelings is unhealthy and could bring about an explosion of rage if it were ever released it its full capacity. Instead, we try to channel our anger into something safe such as sparing or hunting the fell creatures that roam our woods." Thranduil's eyes softened, his voice firm. "You have controlled your anger today, but some of it still remains and is made stronger by your fear. Both need to be dealt with now. Do you understand all that I have said?"

"I understand," Legolas replied, in a braver voice than Thranduil would have expected. "I am ready to face it."

The Elvenking saw such bravery and determination in those blue depths, the fear that dwelled within rendered inert by the magnitude of it. It was captivating, to say the least.

"Good," he said simply. "Now, I know this will be difficult, but I think the first step should be telling me and Elrond of your nightmare so we can better understand what you are going through."

Very suddenly, Legolas crawled out of Thranduil's lap and walked over to the wall.

He stood there silently for some time before driving his fist into it with such force that it made both elves flinch.

"It was not a nightmare, why do you keep calling it that!" Legolas shouted. "Why don't you believe me?" he said in almost a whisper, and both elves had to strain to hear it. Then, Legolas laughed. The sound was hollow and chilling, devoid of any joy. "Of course, it's because I am an elfling. I make things up, I exaggerate. If I were an adult you would believe me. But your life is in danger and no one is listening to me because I am just a silly elfling."

"Who's life is in danger?" Thranduil asked.

Legolas spun around. "You! Your life is in danger!" Legolas all but screamed. "I have told you a hundre… already. Is the wine you drink going to your head or something?"

"Legolas."

Thranduil's voice was sharp, and right then, Legolas knew that he had overstepped. He nervously scuffed his shoe against the floor and tried to open his mouth to mend the damage, but a hand silenced him from doing so.

"I cannot be expected to remember everything, and you, despite how mature you think you are are still just a child. You do not always speak clearly and that night you were in such distress that much of what you said came in mumbles." Thranduil saw Legolas wince at this, and it served to dissipate some of his anger. He spoke more gently but still remained firm. "I should punish you for your behavior. You would deserve it. However, given all that you have been through I will overlook your disrespect this time but if you do so again I will give you a spanking right here in front of Elrond."

Legolas swallowed nervously. He didn't want Elrond of all people to witness that, it would be very embarrassing. Moreover, his father's spanks were painful, varying in intensity from the type of the wrongdoing of course, but they still hurt.

He saw himself sitting on the foot of his bed again, his father staring at him with such disappointment as he paced, lecturing him on the importance of rules and respect:

~LOTRLOTRLOTR~

Legolas, an elfling of a mere century old- 7 in human years, drew his sleeve over his face to wipe away the new fallen tears. His father did not seem to care that he was crying, and this distressed the prince. He had tried a number of things to get his attention, including quivering his bottom lip and sniffling loudly, but his ada didn't so much as spare a glance in his direction.

Legolas felt his strength waning. The hot bath he had taken had served to warm him, but it also relaxed him to the point where he longed for sleep instead of having to endure yet another lecture. Legolas felt a yawn coming and held his hand in front of his mouth to stifle it. But it was too late.

Thranduil whipped around towards him with such speed that the elfling gave a full-body jump.

"Oh, I'm sorry, am I boring you?"

Foolishly, Legolas opened his mouth to speak; something that he would regret doing, for his father's voice rose several octaves.

"You should have thought about that before disobeying me!" the king roared, pacing once more. "I specifically told you not go swimming in the river without taking someone older with you! How many times must I repeat myself before you understand? Not only did you endanger your life, but your foolishness nearly killed Fahnren who jumped in to save you from the currents that were pulling you under!"

Legolas wisely held his tongue.

"But this embarrassing stunt was not just witnessed by the Mirkwood contingent. No, you just had to choose a time to be stupid when we have visiting guests! Lord Celeborn is an influential elf of high standing, and it is important that your character and reputation precede you in the future if you want to sustain a friendship. How do you think it makes you look when he sees you risk your life so needlessly? Do you think he will trust you?

"I."

"Silence! When I want your input I will tell you," Thranduil snapped coldly. "You are but a child, and Lord Celeborn is well aware of the naivety of youth. In a few hundred years, if you do not do anything to jeopardize your reputation further, Lord Celeborn will look past your transgression. But your actions this day have embarrassed the realm and brought shame upon both of us. Now you must be punished."

Legolas's heart beat a little faster. "How will I be punished?" he asked, trying to keep the fear from his voice.

"I am going to put a sting in your behind so you will think twice before disobeying me again."

Legolas scooted backward on the bed as Thranduil approached him, his eyes wide. He saw something indiscernible in his father's eyes, and then, strangely enough, Thranduil stopped in front of him.

"Ion nin, are you afraid of me?" Thranduil asked quietly.

Legolas shook his head 'yes', noticably taking a shuddering breath in.

Thranduil sighed and stepped back, knowing that any attempt to comfort his son would only serve to frighten the child more. Instead, he tried another tactic. "Legolas, what do you think I am going to do to you?"

"Hit me with your hairbrush," the child replied.

Thranduil could not keep the look of horror from his face. What made his child think he would do something so cruel? He had always treated him with kindness, and up until now, Legolas had never done anything that warranted anything else. He tried to keep the disgust from his voice. "Why would you think I would ever do something so cruel to you, Legolas?"

Legolas sniffed. "Because that's what Elrohir and Elladan told me their father does to them when they've done something wrong."

Thranduil clenched his knuckles, but unclenched them when he saw his son flinch, inwardly wincing at the amount of fear that inhabited his son's gaze. Of course the twins had been obviously putting him on, but they often forgot that his son often took what they said at face-value. Now Thranduil was left to straighten out their mess. He shook his head, hoping to disarm Legolas of that fear by the simple gesture.

"That couldn't be farther from the truth. The twins said so only in jest, not knowing that you would continue believing such a lie. I have seen Lord Elrond discipline his children, and he does not, nor would he ever, use a hairbrush."

"What does he use?" Legolas asked meekly..

"His hand. Without any rings on it," Thranduil clarified, and brought his own hand up to show that he had removed his own.

Legolas visibly relaxed. "Oh," was all he managed to say, still frightened at the prospect of a hand hitting his backside. It must hurt a lot, if falling on it gave the prince any indication.

"Legolas, whatever you are thinking it is not true," Thranduil said quickly, seeing the myriad of expressions cross his son's face. Most were of fear, and Thranduil would not have it. "Tell me your thoughts."

"Does it hurt a lot?" Legolas asked.

Thranduil sighed.

"It is painful, but it will not hurt as much as you think." This being his son's first punishment, he didn't want Legolas to dread them. When he grew older they would become more harsh, but never even close to what the boy had expected. Thranduil was honestly hurt that his son would think so little of him.

With effort, he pushed it aside and sat down beside him, placing his arm around him, his voice gentle. "Legolas, I do not want you to fear me, only respect me. I promise that no matter what you have done I will never treat you with cruelty and you will always be able to recover quickly after any punishment. And don't forget, you are also being grounded, so this punishment will be more lenient. I hope you will believe me when I say that I will take no pleasure in what I must now do, because I never want you thinking that I do. In fact, I hate it."

Legolas frowned. "You do?"

"Of course I do. You are my little green leaf, and it breaks my heart to have to punish you in this way. But you give me no choice."

Legolas finally understood. In a strange way, he would be hurting his father by giving him a reason to punish him.

In that moment he felt truly sorry for what he had done. Now they both had to suffer for his mistake. But first, something more needed to be said.

"Sorry I disobeyed you. It was stupid of me to go swimming in the river alone. I see that now. I… didn't mean to risk Fahnren's life. I didn't realize how far out I was until it was too late."

Thranduil knew that Legolas understood his point of view now, and was now truly accepting of his wrong-doing. "You are forgiven." He raised his chin to eye-level. "I love you more than life itself, Legolas, and what I am about to do is for your own good."

Legolas nodded.

"And one last thing." Thranduil held up a finger. "I will never raise anything more than my own hand against you. Never."

Legolas smiled softly. "I know, ada. I'm not afraid anymore."

Legolas smiled at the memory. At the time, those words had helped him not to be afraid of his father's punishments, and now, they served as a reminder of his father's kindness and compassion. He didn't deserve to be spoken to like that. Legolas felt his father's presence behind him and turned around to face him.

"I'm sorry, ada. It was disrespectful and rude of me to say such things to you after all you have done for me."

Thranduil inclined his head. "I accept your apology. You have been through more than any elfling should have to bear, and I understand the need to vent your frustrations. But for the sake of both of us, please refrain from using me as your target." Thranduil kissed his son's brow, his eyes softening. "I love you more than you will ever understand Legolas. And I take no pleasure in punishing you, but if helps to prevent you from turning into a rude and disobedient brat, I will willingly shoulder that burden for as long as is needed. Never forget that."

"I know, I remember you telling me that a few hundred years ago."

"Oh? It must have been a memorable lecture then," Thranduil replied teasingly.

"It was. And I will never forget it."

Thranduil caught the knowing smile and returned it in kind, knowing exactly which lecture his son was referring to. He paused for a moment and then spoke. "Since it bothers you so much, I will try not to use the word nightmare and instead, call it.. an experience. Would that be acceptable to you?"

Legolas nodded. But the surety of the gesture soon faded, replaced by apprehension.

"What is on your mind?"

Legolas worried his lip. "Are you going to leave me again?"

"No, I will not leave you," Thranduil replied quickly. "I will stay with you until the end," he said assuringly, stroking his golden tresses.

The elfling gave him a relieved smile. "I am glad."

Thranduil, bent backwards and a few pops sounded. "But for the sake of my 5000 year old body, can we sit on the bed?"

Legolas laughed musically. "Ada, we are immortal. We do not age the way humans do."

"Yes, but that does not mean we cannot get sore." Thranduil bent backwards again, this time letting out an overly dramatic groan. "Ai, the pain!"

Legolas laughed again. "Alright, we can sit on the bed." Legolas went to grab his father's hand when he noticed the bandage that covered it. Had that been there before?

Thranduil pulled his hand away, cursing under his breath.

"Ada, why is your hand bandaged? Are you hurt?"

Thranduil spared a glance to the healer, then focused on his son again. "Don't worry about it."

"But if you are hurt, you need a healer."

Legolas, I know that you are stalling. "It is just a superficial cut." He lied. "The bandage will keep it from infection. You are of far greater importance right now." Thranduil walked over to the edge of the bed and sat down, watching as Legolas did the same, no doubt refraining from the normal energetic plop due to his father's injury. He attempted to get the child's mind off it.

"Blessed respite for my aching bones… " Thranduil exclaimed, and delighted when it received another chuckle.

The two of them sat in silence. Thranduil waited for his son to begin speaking, resolute to wait as long as is needed.

Legolas saw the expectation and patience in his father's eyes and knew that he expected him to begin speaking about his.. experience. But he was unsure if he could. Or more accurately, he was unsure if he should. Would Elrond not threaten to kill his father like before? Or would he just go after himself, angry for exposing his secret. Legolas knew what happened to elflings who snitched, and he had no desire to endure that punishment again. In fact, the mere thought of it was making his stomach do flips. But the voice of reason broke through his thoughts. Unlike before, his ada was here now. He would protect him. But who would protect his ada? Legolas's mind offered. The guards? What if they were drugged by the elf lord? Legolas thought finally.

Thranduil watched the mile of conflicting emotions play out, and then Legolas turned to him, his eyes dark, jaw set in grim determination.

"I will only speak if you bring in the guards. I can't tell you why."

Thranduil exchanged a puzzled glance with the elf lord, but did not press for answers, calling in the guards. They immediately came rushing in, their eyes flicking around the room in search of danger before landing on their king.

"Your majesty, how may we be of service to you?"

"It is not I but my son who has need of your assistance." Thranduil wordlessly gestured to his son, giving him leave to say whatever he wanted. With abject shock, he watched as his little elfling pointed toward the elf lord.

"Your prince commands you to bind him."

Despite their duty, the guards hesitated. Elrond was not just a lord of a distant realm, but a healer that had tended to their wounds and treated them and their king with nothing but respect. Why was their prince asking this of them? Had something happened?

A guard, whom Thranduil knew as Esliad, spoke first. "My prince, what is Lord Elrond's crime?"

"I have reason to believe he will kill your king," Legolas supplied simply, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

The guards looked nervously to their king, who-against every bone in his body- nodded. This simple gesture confirmed his son's suspicions to the guards and the next moment they had Elrond in their grasp, pulling out rope to bind his hands and feet with.

"No, not there," Legolas said abruptly. "Tie him to the table. Tightly." Legolas thought for a moment and then continued. "Give him a pillow." That was more than Elrond did for him. And Legolas was going to prove he was better.

"Take one off my bed," Thranduil offered.

Outwardly the Elvenking was calm, but inwardly he was mortified, as he had no doubt the Lord of Imladris was also, even though, like himself, he did not show it.. The king watched as Elrond allowed himself to be led to the table. The elf lord did not struggle as he was placed on top of it, nor as his hands and feet were bound to it. Thranduil inwardly winced, seeing the ropes cut into the healer's flesh, and there was no doubt in his mind that the hard desk did not feel good on the bruises that littered the healer's body. Not for the first time he wished Elrond had stayed in Rivendell. Although, now he meant it.

Legolas, you do not know what you are doing, Thranduil thought, but did not voice as he watched his son give out orders. Thranduil waited until no was watching him and gave the healer an apologetic glance, to which was returned with a small nod. Elrond had spoken the truth, and it would appear that he would fulfill his role no matter how much pain it caused him. Thranduil just wished it did not have to be as a desk ornament.

Once the guards made sure the ropes were secure, they stepped away from the table, speaking to the prince. "The dungeons would be a far safer place, my Prince. Are you certain that you want the Noldor here?"

"Yes, you may go now," Legolas said coolly, not catching the disconcerted faces of the guards as they turned to leave.

When they were alone, Thranduil spoke to his son. "Legolas, do you feel safer with Elrond tied up?" It made logical sense that was the reason, but the king needed to be sure.

"Yes."

"Why aren't the dungeons a better place?"

"I cannot see him there. At least here I can keep an eye on him so he doesn't try to escape."

Legolas's logic was cold, his tone apathetic. If Thranduil had not known this was real, he would have thought it was a nightmare. How could Legolas be thinking and doing these things? Oh Legolas, the fact that Elrond is putting up with this treatment should show you the error in your beliefs. If you were paying closer attention, you would see the pain in his eyes, pain caused from seeing your fear of him. He is only being compliant because he doesn't want you to fear him. Elrond has always been kind to you and you repay him by doing this. I am disappointed with you and quite frankly shocked, but I will allow you to do anything you need to if it helps ease your fear. I just hope you don't intend a worse fate for Elrond.

Thranduil showed none of his thoughts outwardly, expression remaining neutral. When his son, spoke, he placed all his attention on him.

"I was playing outside with my friends when I heard someone scream."

"When was this?"

"I don't know."

"Very well." Thranduil had a suspicion it happened the day of the nightmare but was not completely sure.

I know I am not allowed inside the healing ward, but I just wanted to take a quick peek. Then someone grabbed me and pulled me inside. When I saw it was Elrond I apologized for intruding, but instead of accepting that apology…"

"Breath through it Legolas," Thranduil crooned, continuing to rub his back. "Nányë sí." (I am here)

Legolas followed the instruction and breathed in once through his nose and out his mouth. He continued speaking, keeping his eyes only on his father. "Elrond smiled at me but it didn't reach his eyes. It was like an orc's, cruel and cold with all his teeth show—" Legolas took another deep breath. "showing. Before I could run Elrond picked me up by my tunic and threw me onto his medical table, causing me to hit my arm." Legolas pulled up the sleeve of his tunic.

Thranduil saw a purple bruise, the outer edges a sickening mix of bluish green. This bruise was deep, but it could have happened any number of ways. Even elves had their clumsy moments, especially eflings. Elrond did mention that Legolas was climbing trees that day after the incident. But what if Elrond was lying to cover up the cause of the injury, his mind supplied. Thoughts full of contradictions, Thranduil kept listening intently to his son's story-may-not-be-a-story.

"I tried to get up but I... couldn't move my arms or legs."

Thranduil did not like where this story was headed. Neither did Elrond, who at this moment, resembled a taught string of an instrument. Any more tension and there was a strong possibility he could very well break.

"Why couldn't you move your hands?" the king asked, focused on the peredhel.

"When I looked down I saw ropes tied to them," Legolas replied, glad that his father was focused on the elf lord. Perhaps he was beginning to believe him.

Ah, that was the reason for the ropes. It was all beginning to make sense now. Elrond seemed to come to the same conclusion. Although, Thranduil had never before seen the elf lord shudder. It was just wrong somehow. He turned back to his son, noticing the quick inhale, with sorrow.

"I saw… Elrond's face above me. He was still smiling and he…. held….."

This was it, he thought. The final piece of the puzzle they had been looking for was now going to be revealed. Although, if the ElvenKing was being honest, a part of him wanted to remain oblivious to the cruelties. If the past few days had been any indication, just speaking of them was going to hurt Legolas very much. Thranduil felt new despair grip him at the prospect of his child in pain, but he knew the truth needed to come out if Legolas was going to heal.

"What was I holding, Legolas?" Elrond prompted.

To an untrained ear the elf lord's voice was gentle and relaxed, but to Thranduil it was numb. Legolas seemed startled at first when Elrond spoke, and so Thranduil laid a firm hand on his shoulder to steady him.

"What did he hold, Legolas?" Thranduil prompted. "You're doing very well, just endure this for a little longer," he murmured soothingly, hoping that a little encouragement would help ease him.

He was wrong.

Legolas suddenly shook his head. "No, I can't say anymore, I can't go back! I can't! I can't!" Tears flowed down his cheeks and he wept, one word breaking through the cries, one word that tore open the recent wound in Thranduil's heart. "Sèas."

Thranduil cringed inwardly at hearing such a pitiful sound, reminded of the night he had to be the cause of it. He had no words to express how impressed he was with his son for enduring such pain with the level of grace he did. Thranduil could not even begin to describe how shocked he was that Legolas had not passed out. But his son had fallen asleep before he had a chance to tell him, the Sinda realized. Maybe he should change that.

Thranduil kept his arms around him as he spoke. "Legolas, I know this may be odd, but I want you to think back to the fëa healing night. When I told you I needed to start again, but that the pain would be much less, did you dread it happening again?"

Legolas sniffed. "No, not dread. I want to be a warrior someday, so I have been trying to.. what's that word that means endure?"

"Embrace?" Thranduil supplied.

"Yes, I've been trying to embrace, rather than dread pain."

Thranduil pulled back a little and looked at his son, hiding his surprise and smiling proudly at him. "That is a very hard and admirable thing to do, especially for one so young. May I ask what caused you to do so?"

"Promise you won't get mad?"

Thranduil's mind reeled at the possibilities, but he consented. "I promise."

"I handled one of the warriror blades in the training ground and cut my hand badly."

Thranduil had to work to keep the anger off his face. "Where were the other elves? Did they allow you to access that area?"

Legolas shook his head. "They had all gone home for the day. I was alone."

"And you thought it would be a good idea to go handling a dangerous weapon? Why didn't you pick up one of the training daggers instead?"

"I have before, but those aren't as sharp, and I wanted to see how sharp they were. I barely touched the blade, but... well."

"Why wasn't I told of this? Did you have to have stitches?"

"No, but if it were a centimeter deeper I was told I would have needed them."

"Through all of this, you believed I would have punished you so you begged the healer not to tell me." Of course the healer complied. She couldn't say no to those pleading eyes of his son.

Legolas nodded and looked down. "Am I in trouble?"

Thranduil sighed. "No, it would be pointless to punish you for something that happened so long ago." Thranduil also guessed that the injury must have been punishment enough. "Besides, you have been through enough and you still have more to endure."

"I don't think I can," Legolas said quietly. "I don't want to remember."

But the Elvenking was not giving up. "You must, Legolas," Thranduil said firmly, praying these words would change his mind. They had to. They had to be familiar. Please, Legolas…. remember them.

Legolas froze, recognizing the words spoken almost immediately. These words reminded him of pain but also of strength and courage. He had faced the worst pain of his life that night, surely he could face this, Legolas thought.

"A knife," Legolas cried out, and it shattered the silence. He faced Elrond and Elrond was looking in his direction. "You cut me!" Legolas shrieked, voice brimming with anguish.

The utter shock that they news brought was like a blow to the chest. Thranduil couldn't decide what he believed. On the one hand, he knew that even at his darkest moments, the elf lord would rather hurt himself than hurt others. On the other, Elrond had been infected by Shadow sickness before arriving in Mirkwood and it was known to control him enough to nearly harm his own son's. Could the possibility be there? Could Elrond have really harmed Legolas under its influence? Legolas, seemed to believe it with all his soul, but what confused Thranduil the most is that the Sinda had personally examined Elrond and he had sensed no darkness, not even a remnant within the elf lord remained upon arrival in his realm. Could it have been lying dormant at the time or am I drawing conclusions where there are none? Was this all due to a nightmare and nothing more?

Conflicted, Thranduil glanced over at the peredhel, who had an unreadable expression. Why have you not denied anything? Are you waiting for my son to vent or are you guilty? He turned his attention back to his son, eager for answers.

"Legolas, where did he cut you?"

"In the… chest," Legolas choked out, and honestly seemed ready to collapse from the stress.

Thranduil tried to pull his son into his arms. However, surprisingly, Legolas pulled away from the attempt.

"I don't want to be touched, ada."

A hoarse voice spoke, as if straining to hold back a mountain of emotion. "Thranduil, I do not want to ask this of him, but it might help me to understand how all this came to pass if I know why I–" the letter felt bitter on his tongue but he forced himself to use it– "did what he said."

Thranduil nodded grimly and then faced his son. His heart ached, not even able to imagine how painful this was for him. "Legolas, I just need you to answer one last question for me. One last question and you do not have to speak of it any more. Do you know why he cut you?"

Several minutes passed by without an answer, and Thranduil was beginning to think his son had reached the end of his endurance. Then Legolas cried out, his voice an open wound and no less painful to all who heard.

"He said that he wanted me to suffer!"

Thranduil cringed as his son's wails pierced his ears. "Hush…. It is alright now. You are safe," Thranduil said gently, rocking him in soothing back and forth motions as the volume of his cries increased exponentially.

Thranduil was mortified with all he heard, and the loud crying was worrying in and of itself. Legolas had not cried like that ever since the nightmare, which was seemly evident to be just that, a nightmare. But they still did not know what brought it on. Could it have been an attack from Sauron? He was known to attack the minds of elves over the centuries, infiltrating their dreams to plant a seed of Darkness inside their minds. Could his son now be that target? Or was he being played by the master manipulator of Imladris?

The Elvenking could not yet discern if Elrond had done such an unspeakable thing to his son. True, it went against his nature as a healer and against his very soul, but Elrond had recently been plagued with the darkness from his forest, infecting his sons with the same evil. Who's to say that Elrond did not harm his son when he was under its influence and now does not remember. Thranduil hoped for his son's sake that time would reveal all, and in the meantime, he would lie in wait, watching the Noldor for any suspicious activity.

Just then the Elvenking was alerted to another audible noise. It was a voice. It was not his son's. It was Elrond's. He listened closely, forcing his elven hearing a little beyond its capacity.

"I did it."

Author's note: *Ducks behind a tree* If you don't move they can't see you.