A/N: I know it has been an incredibly long time since I have posted a new chapter, but I am overjoyed to tell you that I finished up most of my grad work for my BS degree and now my schedule is a lot more flexible and allows me some time to write!

That being said, I have written up over 20k words over the hiatus that I have split into multiple chapters, and planned out how I want the rest of the story to go(which wasn't easy.) I also recently read through the entire story so that I would be caught up with everything that has transpired so far, so any continuity errors from here on will be rare if there are any at all.

Now, two of you had some good question that will apply to this chapter. The thing is, it was so long ago that I don't really remember what I said in response to the first one or if I responded to it at all. Furthermore, I realized that it would be beneficial for you all to know the reasoning behind some of the character choices I made. That being said, I am going to go ahead and answer them both right here.

Mystarlight: Thranduil is the best as usual. Wonder why didn't he give Elrond any guards for help? For one, the haste at which Elrond left was incredibly quick. Thranduil had just learned that the elf lord's sons were in jeopardy, and the guilt of his actions towards them surfaced, serving as a distraction from thinking clearly. Though, even if he had Thranduil still would not have sent for his guards to accompany his friend. This is because it would have been more dangerous. As I explained in earlier chapters, Mirkwood is a dark place. Any elf, even a half elf is a beacon for the darkness. That is why it is better for Elrond to travel alone rather with a company of guards. In the day it would be less of a problem, but Elrond will be traveling many days, and the nights are when he will be the most vulnerable. To go as unnoticed as possible is the goal here.

Horsegirl01: I wonder how the twins are faring. It seems a shame that Legolas and Thranduil do not seem concerned about them. Legolas has been through enough without also having to endure the emotional strain of worry too. And of course, being the kind and caring father that he is, Thranduil does not want his son to go through anything else. Of course they care about Elrond and are worried for them. In fact, you are going to find out just how worried they feel.

A humungous thank you to all those who have favorited, followed, and reviewed this story. WOA is two away from 100 reviews! I never believed I would get half as many when I first started this story. As always a special shoutout to those who reviewed the last chapter: mystarlight, Mustard Lady, Horsegirl01, and last but not least, Hello_LOTR. Thank you all for sticking with this story and being extremely patient. You are in for quite a ride!

Chapter 20: Failure and Progress

~LOTRLOTRLOTR~

The elf lord rode on, his mount sweating and panting beneath him. Elrond urged the animal to keep its pace, giving a promise of rest once the day reached its end. The horse, sensing its master's urgency kept pace for the next several hours, the elven horse having the endurance to ride all day and all night without a break if need be.

Elrond barely felt his injuries, his mind solely on the wellbeing of his children. The shortcut the peredhel chose would save several days travel and allow the healer to catch up to his sons. However, he needed to keep riding through the days and only rest at night in order to make it there in time. Though one of his children had been injured, Elrond had not felt more of his child's pain, which indicated that the twin was capable of traveling and was likely doing so with his brother.

At least they have each other, Elrond thought. Heartened by this, he rode on.

"Your stance is good but your elbow is a little high." Thranduil came to stand behind his son, correcting the child's form with gentle guidance, and then stepping to the side.

Legolas strung another arrow and let it go, watching as it landed near the same spot but no closer to the first ring. Disappointed, he reached up to grab another arrow from the quiver, when the Elvenking spoke.

"Do not be in such a hurry. Study what is happening and try to correct the problem."

Legolas nodded and experimentally drew the string back without releasing the arrow, allowing it to go slack a few minutes later and lowering the weapon. "I can't see it. There is no wind today, so the trajectory isn't affected by it. My stance and form are correct so the arrow should be hitting the center. The only thing left is my aim, and I cannot find a single fault in it."

"Try making small changes to only your aim and see what that does," Thranduil supplied.

"Alright," Legolas replied.

The prince raised his bow again and aimed the tip of the arrow a little past the second ring, firing. Legolas delighted when it hit the edge of the center and couldn't help the smile that crossed his face when he faced his father.

Thranduil smiled back and clapped his hands in a show of praise. "Well done. I will leave you to solitary practice while I watch and observe. Try to hit closer to the center this time."

Thranduil settled down on the bench a few feet from the training field, bidding his son to continue. He carefully observed his form, noting that Legolas was not making the same mistake with his elbow. However, the Elvenking's thoughts soon turn to the elf lord.

He hoped he was alright, as well as his sons. They were well of the age to have formed mental barriers in order to keep anyone or anything from intruding. And yet one of them did not use them correctly. Thranduil could not know for certain why, but the act itself told Thranduil that the pain the twin had felt was likely stronger than his will to keep his father out of his mind. Considering that Elrond nearly killed them when controlled by darkness, both twins would have tried their hardest to block out their father. This was not a comforting thought.

Nor was the remembrance of the groan of pain Elrond could not stifle.

Though the elf lord sometimes showed his pain openly with Thranduil, he usually kept it from Legolas so as not to worry him. The fact that this did not happen was worrying in and of itself and meant that it was too great to be able to keep silent. There was also the danger of traveling through the forest alone. Mirkwood was a dense forest filled with both seen and unseen dangers. The seen dangers Thranduil wasn't so worried about since Elrond likely still possessed his skill with a weapon. The unseen however, was a different story. The forest had a way of twisting reality, making people see things that aren't there. It did this very subtly, so it was hard to discern even if you were expecting it. Thranduil was certain Elrond had remembered their conversation on the subject and would be expecting all that they talked about. But would it be enough?

Thranduil offered up a prayer to the Valar for the safety of Elrond and his sons. Then he turned his focus to his own son. Though it was assured that his mind would drift back to them until they came back safely, he had a duty to Legolas to oversee his training and he would fulfill it.

Legolas shot 3 more arrows, each of them landing close enough to the center to warrant a weapon's change, which Thranduil granted. He observed his son pulling out his training daggers from the sheaths on his back, but was not expecting him to stare at them so long. Wanting to give his son some space, Thranduil waited for a few minutes to pass before walking over to him and coming to stand beside him.

Legolas sensed the king's presence and spoke. "I know it is a privilege to wield these," Legolas began. "but they aren't the real thing. The blades are dull, not sharp. And the hilt is made of cheap metal, not made using the recipe handed down to us by the high elves."

Thranduil spoke, sympathetic to his son's plight. "You will have the real ones soon enough," the king replied.

His son was a prince after all, and as a prince he was expected to have better equipment than everyone else. But while warriors were young everyone used the same dull and lackluster equipment. On the day of their Final Test when they reached their majorities it was a tradition that the parents of each warrior gifted them finely made equipment that showed off their level of achievement. Thranduil had secretly commissioned his blacksmiths to forge two twin daggers with ivory handles and immaculate elvish carvings spelling out his son's name in beautiful Quenyan. As well as a bow made with the finest wood with gold etchings of leaves and elegant patterns carved into the entire length, his son's name formed in the same language resting mid bow between the leaf carvings. These gifts would be given to his son after the ceremony that would be held upon completing his training and receiving his warrior braids when he reached his majority at age 500.

Legolas took heart in his father's words, and nodded. "I'll try to be more patient."

Thranduil clapped the elfling on the shoulder. "I know you will." He stepped back from him. "Now show me how much you have learned with your knives."

Legolas nodded, giving a slight smile before turning back and walking a few paces forward. Facing the target about 10 feet ahead and correcting his grip on the knife, Legolas made sure his stance was correct before reeling back his arm, and certain that his aim was level he threw the knife at the target.

When it didn't hit the target Legolas was confused, but tried again. The result being the same, the prince tried yet again. Legolas had not expected the result, and sunk to his knees. He didn't understand why he couldn't at least hit the target. Even on his worst day he could still do that.

Thranduil sighed and walked over to him. "It's alright Legolas, you just did not let go in time."

"But it didn't even land close to the target and I was using all my strength! That hasn't happened since I first started training." How could he have performed so badly? And in front of his father no less "Maybe I am losing my ability."

The last part was spoken silently but Thranduil heard it. The Elvenking very well understood the reason why his son missed and the reason had less to do with nerves and more to do with technique. But that was no excuse to behave this way. His son would need to learn this lesson.

"Legolas, stand up!" Thranduil said firmly.

Legolas did as requested, surprised by the sharp tone of voice his father had just used. He no longer seemed like his father but one of his instructors giving a reprimand.

Thranduil noticed that his son was still facing away from him, but spoke anyway. "There will come a time when your behavior will be as much of a deciding factor as your skill. How you handle failure will reflect on your character. The challenges of your final test will be very hard and not all are expected to pass every one of them with excellence. You may even fail some of them completely. But you must receive those failures with grace or the judges will think less of you, as will the others. But most importantly, you will think less of yourself. Do you understand?"

Legolas nodded, still facing away from him. He had not thought of it that way. He had envisioned himself doing perfectly, never making any mistakes. To make them would be unacceptable and prove that he was unworthy. But now he was second guessing that. Was he really expected to fail some of his final tests? Were they going to be that hard?

Thranduil continued, more gentle. "Failure will not drag you down as long as you are willing to try again. You missed the target because you did not let go in time. Try it again and this time do not hesitate."

Legolas took a calming breath and then grabbed two more knives from the training shelves, placing one of them in the sheath behind his back before coming toward the target. Reeling it back as much as he dared, Legolas payed careful attention and then swung his arm forward, making sure to release it in time. Legolas felt relieved when it hit the edge. The edge was not going to cut it though. He needed to hit at least the 3rd ring. Retrieving his last knife from the sheath Legolas made a slight adjustment to his aim and then threw it. But it failed to hit the target at all. He tried again and again but still the result was the same.

Confused, Legolas faced his father. "I don't understand. Sometimes I hit the target and other times I do not. Now no matter how hard or how many times I try I cannot hit it anymore. That has never happened before…"

Thranduil was equally confused. He had seen no flaw in his son's technique on that last throw, though there was a noticeable difference in strength. It seemed as though his son would either throw with less strength and release in time or throw with enough strength but not release the knife in time. Not once would he be using the correct combination of each, though he could tell that his son was trying his best. Perhaps Legolas was just having an off day. That could happen from time to time, especially if his son, like himself, were worrying about Elrond and his sons. Convinced of the latter, Thranduil spoke.

"I do not doubt your skill in any of the weapons you have used this day, nor do I doubt that you are trying your hardest. But from what I have observed your worry for Elrond and his sons is distracting you. Is this not so, Legolas?"

The prince sighed and nodded. "Aye, 'tis so. I had hoped you would not notice."

Thranduil was unsure why he would say such a thing. "Why is that?"

"Because I didn't want you to be reminded of your worry for them. The same way you were in the stable before we came here."

Thranduil smiled sadly. He was touched that his son would be so selfless and try to hide his grief in the hopes that it wouldn't be a painful reminder to his father of his own. But on the other hand, it was unhealthy for his son to keep such emotions hidden. He should be expressing them openly.

"That is very selfless of you and I am touched by your concern, ion-nin." Thranduil began. "Though it is not very healthy to do this. You should be expressing what you feel and not be worrying about me."

"I am worried for them," Legolas admitted. "The forest is a very dangerous place. What if they don't remember our rules? They are tainted, after all. And what of Elrond? He has not wielded a blade in so long due to his vow… what if he has forgotten how?"

Thranduil couldn't deny that these worries had crossed his own mind, but his son had been through too much to now be plagued with worry. He needed to lessen it. "The twins may not remember. But let's not forget that the Valar see all. Though they are hurt and likely feel abandoned and lost at this moment, they are not alone. None of us are ever truly alone."

Legolas nodded, taking comfort in his father's words.

"And though I cannot guarantee that the twins remember all that I told them before they journeyed here, they are still good fighters. The shortcut I showed Elrond will save days of traveling time and allow him to catch up to his sons. As for the dangers Elrond will face, I believe he still possesses the knowledge and skill to wield a blade. It is very hard to forget ages of training. You should also know that I prepared Elrond to the best of my ability before he traveled here. He would not have forgotten my advice so quickly. This I am sure of." Legolas visibly relaxed and Thranduil was glad to have brought his son some peace. But Thranduil knew more about the forest than his son did, and therefore knew of more danger that could end up doing the elf lord great harm even if he expected it. He hoped that Elrond would keep their conversation at the forefront of his mind, but the fact remained that his children's wellbeing were most certainly there instead. Thranduil had no doubt of it in fact, which was not helping his nerves. Also, the fact that Elrond was likely in a lot of pain from the lacerations on his back, was making his guilt far worse. He knew that the stubborn Noldor would not risk stopping to tend to his wounds and would be suffering through the horseback ride.

Legolas spoke, pulling his father from his thoughts. "Ada, why can't we go after Elrond?"

Thranduil was momentarily caught off guard by the question, still reeling over his own folly. Then, the gravity of his son's words sunk in and he understood what he was asking. Though he was amazed by his bravery, he knew it would not be a good idea to give Legolas false hope. And so he hid those emotions from his son, and spoke. "Elrond must do this alone. And I am sorry to say this so bluntly but even if I were to go after him I would not be taking you with me." Thranduil left out the fact that it would do no good to go since the twins also feared him due to their punishment in the dungeon. If he were to have accompanied Elrond the twins would have most certainly believed that their father teamed up with the Elvenking in order to capture or kill them and fought all the harder.

Legolas lowered his head, staring at his feet. "It's because I am not very good at fighting, isn't it?"

Thranduil nodded. "It's partly due to that but not completely. You possess a lot of skill and can hold your own in a spar, but you have never been in the forest or fought its creatures or against its malign darkness. You would be highly unprepared and not know what to expect."

Legolas faced his father, determination in his eyes. "Prepare me then. Tell me of the dangers and how I can fortify myself against them like you did for lord Elrond. As for physical dangers, you would be with me, right? I don't see the harm in my accompanying you."

Thranduil was surprised by his son's audacity. "Legolas, having someone with you who is capable of defending you is not enough. You must also be able to defend yourself. You have never faced a real enemy and would be way out of your league and a primary target. Furthermore, knowing of the dangers is not enough. Even if I told you everything I know it would still not make up for raw experience. Physical strength and knowledge is only part of it. One must have good judgment as well, and though this may be hard to hear yours is still very much green." Legolas nodded and Thranduil could see that he was disappointed. But there was nothing more he could say about it. His son would not go and that was that.

The prince absently kicked a pebble near his foot. He had such a strong urge to go after Elrond and the twins. But he supposed part of the desire stemmed from guilt. He blamed himself for not recognizing the evil that had tainted them sooner. After all, he lived in Mirkwood. Shouldn't he be an expert at spotting the signs by now? He desperately needed to take his mind off them or he may not been able to control the urge to go after them, despite his father's will against it. Legolas kicked the pebble into a small crack in the ground. Raising his gaze, he spotted the stable, and instantly an idea came to mind.

Without another word Legolas ran towards it. Though if he had been thinking straight he would have done things differently.

Thranduil saw his son suddenly take off, and fearing the worst he ran to intercept him. The king made it there before Legolas and spoke when his son approached. "I told you that you were not going and that was final. To now go and blatantly disobey me is shameful and warrants a punishment!"

Legolas frowned. In his haste he had forgotten to say where he was going or why. Thranduil now suspected him of trying to sneak a horse to ride off into the forest. He attempted to put his father's mind at ease. "No ada, I am not disobeying you. Forgive me for not saying something before but I was just going to the stables to see my horse."

Thranduil was relieved upon hearing that his son wasn't going to go galavanting into the forest on his own. Especially after he was forbidden to do so. Though, he supposed he should have trusted in his son's character. Feeling sheepish, Thranduil spoke. "There is nothing to forgive. I should have trusted that you would never do something so dangerous. You may go to your horse now, I think she misses you."

Legolas nodded and flashed a relieved smile, walking into the stable.

Thranduil leaned against the doorway, intent on watching his son. The reason for doing so did not stem from distrust, he simply enjoyed observing his son interact with animals. Legolas was always so gentle and kind to them, and in tern, the animals were at peace in his presence.

Legolas approached his horse and held his hand under its nose for her to smell. When they were seemly aquatinted again he gave her a pat on the neck and then did something that Thranduil was not expecting. His son's body began to glow slightly as he gently stroked the animals fur. Legolas leaned forward and whispered in the animal's ear, presumably choosing phrases that were known to calm animals in distress. Legolas, sensing his father watching him, spoke. "It calms her when I release some of my light. She feels the darkness as we do and it makes her uneasy." The horse wuffled in response and Legolas smiled slightly.

Thranduil was also smiling slightly at the tender scene before him.

Legolas leaned down and kissed his horse on the nose, letting out a chuckle when she tried to nibble on his tunic. He heard his father laugh and shook his head, wondering how his horse could possibly think he was wearing anything edible. Though he supposed the green tunic did resemble the color of grass. "I guess I shouldn't have worn green today," Legolas remarked playfully, rubbing the animal's soft nose.

"Indeed. Oranges or reds would not have been favorable either."

Legolas didn't understand what his father meant by that until the king mouthed the words: carrot and apple. He smiled and retrieved a brush from the shelf near him, proceeding to run it through the horse's mane.

Thranduil spoke. "Have you gone riding recently?"

"No, I haven't," Legolas replied, kneading out a matted piece from its mane.

"Why don't we go for a ride?"

Legolas face him, unsure if he heard correctly. "Are you serious?"

Thranduil was taken aback by the question. Had it really been so long? "Of course, why wouldn't I be?"

Legolas perked up, hopeful. "You don't have any work to get back to right now?"

Thranduil sighed internally. He had often been too busy lately to spend any time with Legolas, much less go riding with him. Understanding his son's hesitation, Thranduil spoke. "Not at all. My replacement is handling the minor tasks for me at the moment and they do not need my help. It will be good for us to take a ride together. It has been some time since we took the last one."

"Nearly a season," Legolas stated.

Thranduil tried not to think about what little quality time they had spent together and forced a believable smile. "Then let's ride!"

Legolas's smile grew brighter as he watched his father gathering his tack, but there was one glaring problem. "Ada, did you forget that you lent Elrond your horse?" Legolas asked hesitantly. He knew the answer but secretly hoped that his father had another horse. Though the prince had heard no mention of it if he did.

Thranduil shook his head. "I have not forgotten, Legolas. I will simply have to ride another horse."

"But ada, the only horse left is Assanaig, and it only lets the captain ride it..."

"Not just the captain," Thranduil replied simply.

Legolas watched with trepidation as Thranduil approached the stallion toward the back. Its coat was a dark brown, almost black, and it was currently facing away from the door, munching on oats.

The Elvenking didn't let this deter him however, and patiently waited for the horse to finish its snack. A few minutes later the animal lowered its head from the feedbag and drank some water from the trough. It was at this point that the horse noticed the Elvenking and froze, watching him. Thranduil extended his hand to it and the animal gave a snort and raised its head high. Thranduil knew by this action that he was now perceived as a threat. But the horse's opinion of him would soon change.

Clearing his mind of all but one thought Thranduil spoke, staring it in the eyes. "Vá ea naira -n tele -ndë lá mala- sívë mellon (Do not be afraid. I will not harm you. Peace, friend)

The horse approached him and Thranduil let out some of his inner light to further calm the creature, gently stroking the white stripe on its head before opening the door and led the horse out of its stall. Grabbing the saddle and blanket off the fence where he had placed it. The king carefully approached the horse, watching for any change in its demeanor. When all seemed well he gently placed the blanket on the stallion's back following with the saddle. The action didn't garner any reaction and Elvenking bent down and tightened the straps until the saddle was secure. Thranduil grabbed the bridle and bit next. He warmed the metal in his hands for a few moments, and satisfied that the temperature wouldn't shock the horse the king held it under its mouth, coaxing the animal to bite down on it. Of course, being a military horse the animal was used to being prepared like this and did not need so much assistance, but Thranduil was a new elf and he wanted the horse to grow to trust him at its own pace. So he took things more slowly, being diligent not to do anything that would spook the horse. Thranduil then brought the reins around its head and let the excess hang of the side of the saddle. After securing the reins around its breast he stepped back to appraise his work.

Legolas was surprised that the horse had been so docile, but knew that there remained one final challenge that his father could not possibly pass. Riding the horse.

The Elvenking approached the horse from the front and looked into its eyes. He saw no fear, and knew that the horse would allow him to ride it1. Without further hesitation Thranduil came abreast of it and put one foot in the stirrup. Satisfied when nothing came of it he reached around and swung his other leg over, allowing most of his weight to rest on the saddle.

The stallion reared up at this action and Thranduil squeezed his legs tighter around the creature as to not be thrown off, whispering a little louder than before. "sívë sívë." The horse stilled almost immediately and allowed itself to be turned toward the entrance of the stable.

Legolas clapped his hands, praising his father's achievement. "You did it, ada!"

Thranduil smiled cheekily at his son, noting with relief that Legolas had stayed near the entrance in case something went wrong . "You doubted me?"

"Aye, but you proved me wrong. I'll ready my horse and then we can depart."

Legolas gathered the needed tack and placed it on the fence before opening the door, leading his horse into the center of the stable near his father. Then set to preparing his horse, mind wandering to the amazing feat just witnessed as he did so.

Legolas was beyond impressed that his father was atop its back instead of on the ground. He had seen several elves try to ride that horse but each one either ended up in a pile of hay, on the ground, or hanging onto a wooden panel after being bucked off. Legolas had also tried to ride the stallion at one point, but the creature ended up bolting before the prince had been able to get his other foot in the stirrup and he took a half-mile ride on his own back before being rescued. He couldn't understand how his father had been able to tame the creature so easily and decided to bring it up at a later time. For now, he was grateful that his ada was unharmed. Now they both had horses. Though, he still needed to finish preparing his own.

A few minutes later, Legolas mounted and trotted up to where his father had been waiting. "Where will we ride?"

"How about 2 miles past the farthest archery fields?" Thranduil supplied.

"That's 12 miles both ways. Isn't that too far?"

"Nay, we can run them for the first 6 and then ride leisurely," Thranduil replied.

"Okay, deal," Legolas said, urging his mount into a fast run. Thranduil smiled and leaned forward, urging his mount into the same pace.

~LOTRLOTRLOTR~

Elrond pulled back on the reins, allowing his steed to change its pace to a walk instead of the brisk run it had kept for most of the day. The elven horse could have kept that pace the entirety of the day and night if necessary, but the lesions on Elrond's back were beginning to pain him quite badly and it would not help anyone if the healer was too weak to help his sons when he found them or if he passed out of consciousness on the journey. And so, the change was made, though reluctantly.

The horse adapted to the new speed more smoothly than Elrond thought possible. It was a good thing too, because the elf lord didn't think he could handle anymore harsh movements. The healer knew he would need to prepare an herbal drought when they stopped for the night. There was no doubt. But that was still many hours ride away, so he would have to be patient and endure the discomfort for now. Only discomfort, I have endured far worse than this and in harsher circumstances, he would tell himself, finding the strength to go ever on.

But there was another reason to get off the road. As dangerous as Mirkwood was in the day, it was by far worse when the sun went down. That is why when night fell it was better for travelers to be off the road and secluded somewhere hidden until morning. Though, Elrond doubted that such a place existed in this forest, at least one that was hidden from prying eyes. Everything seemed to be watching him and it made the elf lord increasingly uneasy. The healer half expected something to jump out from a bush or from behind a tree and attack him as he passed by them. Or fall from the trees. He remembered Thranduil telling him of the spiders that infested Mirkwood. They made their homes in trees and often dropped down onto their unsuspecting prey from their webs. The most unsettling thing Thranduil had told him though was about the fully groan spiders. Those were large enough to grab elves and carry them up into the trees. It was a mystery why anyone would choose to live in Mirkwood.

For peace of mind, the elf lord stared up into the canopy, hand grasping the hilt of the sword at his hip, ready to draw in at a moments notice. Elrond winced as the action pulled on his back and wondered if the riding had opened up some of the lesions. Though the herbal salve would keep infection at bay, as well as the thorough cleaning that had been done before the ordeal, the blood could seep through the bandage and soak the clothing. It was never a good idea to travel while wounded because the smell of blood often could attract predators. Hopefully the salve Thranduil had applied would give off a strong enough odor.

Elrond closed his eyes, only to open them a moment later in regret.

The safety of the elf lord's children was always at the forefront of his mind. Since the incident that spurned him on to make this journey, the peredhel had not felt either of his sons again. Both their mental and physical health were a mystery to him. He could not hear their thoughts, feel their pain, or any emotion whatsoever, only feel the connection of their fëas with his own. All he had was hope that they were still alive. That was going to have to be enough for now.

A/N: Well, things are moving forward. Do any of you remember Thranduil's wound? If you don't it may be beneficial for you to go back and read chapter 9. Or just skim the whole story again if you wish because some of the next events may be a little difficult to follow if you don't. I am only speaking in terms of main events in the story, so if you remember those, you're golden.

As a gift for all you amazing readers, I will post another chapter in about 10 seconds.