Chapter 3

Doronor frowned as he watched the young archer fletching arrows across the camp fire. The shifting flames bathing him in an unearthly red glow. There was something about the concentrated expression on his face that worried the captain although he could not pin point exactly what it was. He sighed and shook his head. Maybe he was worrying over nothing, he thought, maybe he was trying to read something that was not there. Standing he decided to circle the camp to ensure that all is was it should be and distract his over worked mind.

The prince watched the captain walk away with a sigh, he had thought he would never leave. The penetrating gaze focused upon him had begun to unnerve the usually collected young elf. A quick mental count told him that he had more than enough arrows to fill his quiver and he ran his fingers absentmindedly over the expertly tied feathers as he envisioned where each of them would find their targets, feeling his heart beat quicken in anticipation. Raising his eyes to scan the camp he made a mental note of where each warrior had settled his bedroll for the night before freeing one of his long knives from its scabbard and delving into the small pouch he habitually carried at his belt, for his whetstone. Settling back against the small rock behind him, he began lazily honing the blade, whilst allowing his mind free reign to work out the best way to leave the encampment without being noticed or alerting the sentries.

The patrol had been sent to scout the nearest border of the forest for signs of orc activity and thus far there had been neither sight nor sound of the dark creatures. Used to being away from their friends and families for much longer and at far greater risk when on duty deep to the south, Doronor and the other warriors appeared to be enjoying the shorter, less stressful foray somewhat but Legolas knew that it would not be long before the inactivity began to tell and tempers frayed. He also knew who they would begin to blame for being kept, like sheltered novices, closer to the halls and away from the darker, more dangerous areas of his beloved forest, where they were really needed.

He had always taken great pride in the fact that his patrol were always in the forefront of the battle to protect the realm and they, in turn, had always been proud enough of him to follow wherever he led. That had all changed however since the affair with Lhosson and the plot to overthrow his father. Not that anything had been said directly of course but he could see it in their eyes. A wariness when they looked at him as if weighing him up and finding him wanting. It did not help of course that Doronor had been promoted and given captaincy of the company whilst Legolas has been kept within his fathers halls, to 'assist with running the realm' for five years until he had he had literally begged to be allowed out on patrol again, his father only submitting in guilt, after another, tense stand off, on the proviso that he was to be under Doronors command and they were to cover close patrols only.

This perceived loss of their respect and loyalty was eating away at his insides like a parasite. That it was born of his own minds making never entered his thoughts. A perfectionist by nature he measured himself far stricter against his own expectations than any other and he had failed to meet those impossibly high standards thus relegating himself to the lowest order in his own eyes and therefore, it stood to reason, also in everyone elses.

Checking the blade against his thumb he stared at the thin line of blood drawn by its sharpened bite, watching it well slowly into a scarlet bead, before wiping it onto his leggings, to leave behind a rusty smear. Deciding that one was sharp enough he replaced it in its ornate scabbard and withdrew its twin and as his hands worked mechanically his mind wandered back over the last time he had seen his father.

Thranduil stood in front of the giant throne, drawn up to his full height, looking his most regal in formal robes, his winter crown of berries and evergreens seated squarely over his forbidding brow, and Legolas watched as the merchant standing before him, trembled under the kings wrathful gaze.

"You promised forty barrels, and were paid accordingly" The kings mellifluous voice rang through carved rafters, "We received thirty eight and of those half were more vinegar than wine."

"Please, your most wonderful majesty," The portly merchant cowered, his voice oily and obsequient. "I can assure you the forty barrels that left my establishment were all of the highest quality." He smiled ingratiatingly. "The carriers must have tampered with the load, sire. By your leave I will find them and rectify this matter as soon as I am able."

"Hah! " The kings eyes blazed with fury. "More likely you will disappear with my money, never to be seen again." He stalked closer to the trembling merchant and thrust his face into the others. "You will not leave here until I am satisfied!"

"Aran nin, if I may." Standing to one side of the throne Legolas had been watching his father silently all morning, waiting for the opportunity to speak. "If I were to escort this man and ensure he did your bidding."

"Nay!" The king interrupted as he whirled to face his son. "I have need of you here," he held up a hand as the young prince opened his mouth to protest. "And mayhap a few days in our dungeons will ensure this adan encourages his colleagues prompt cooperation in sorting out this little, misunderstanding." He turned back to the merchant and grinned ferally. "I will allow you some time with your guardsman in order to appraise him of your instructions on how to effect your release. You will then have ample opportunity to ponder upon your fate should he not be successful." He then turned to the elves flanking the man and ordered, "Take him out of my sight before I regret my decision."

"Ada." Waiting until the merchant had been led away Legolas approached his father determined to be heard. "Why will you not let me go?" The question felt like it had had been asked a million times before.

"You know why." Thranduil caught and held his sons defiant gaze.

"I am not some fragile bird to be held in a cage, ada, " the young prince began earnestly. "I am capable of looking after myself." His eyes pleaded into his fathers for understanding but none was forthcoming.

"I am aware of your opinion on your own capabilities, ion nin," Thranduils voice began to take on a harder edge, "How soon you have forgotten the way you almost allowed those capabilities to lead you into becoming a pawn in someone elses dark plans." Silence fell as the king realised too late what he had just said.

Steel shutters snapped down in the princes sky blue eyes and the colour drained completely from his face as he stared at his father in disbelief.

"Nay, that will live with me 'til the end of my days." The softly spoken, controlled words belied the agitation within the young elf as he bowed formally. "I am sorry to have troubled you, Aran nin."

Turning swiftly on his heels Legolas walked away, before the crushing pain in his chest could bring him to his knees, leaving his father standing in anguished silence wishing he could call him back yet somehow not being able to make a sound.

A formal letter had been pushed under his door the following morning informing him of his release to join Doronors company in their border patrols and he had not seen his father to speak to since.

Returning from his memories to test the second blade and finding its keeness to his liking the young archer replaced it to lay beside its twin and took another scan of the camp. Most of his companions were either asleep now or at least resting and a peaceful quiet had fallen, broken only by the crackle of the dwindling fire as it ate up the remaining logs. He looked up as Doronor walked over, then watched warily as the captain bent to sit beside him. Care would be needed not to alert the older elf to his plans for warriors oft could read each others thoughts after many years of fighting closely together and they had become close friends as well as comrades which heightened their awareness of each other.

"Do you know something we do not?" The captain nodded towards the quiver full of arrows, a questioning smile upon his face.

"It is well to be prepared." The words were as flat and expressionless as the archers face as he reached out to unconsciously run his fingers through the feathered shafts in the quiver beside him once more as if needing the reassurance of their presence.

"Aye," the captain replied thoughtfully. "That is true though I trust they will not be required, I rather fancy a quiet sojourn this time. " He flashed a pointed look at the archer taking in the drawn cheeks and dark smudges that ever lately seemed to remain under world weary eyes. "A little quiet time would serve you also mellon nin, my friend. "

A small smile graced the princes lips as he nodded briefly to his friend in an effort to allay the worry he could read within his eyes before replying gently.

"With good fortune you will get what you desire mellon." He pulled his cloak tighter around his shoulders. "You should get some sleep whilst you may." His eyes closed briefly as if to signify his own wish for reverie.

With a nod and an answering smile Doronor stood and moved away then turned back briefly to address the prince once more.

"That is advice you should heed also hir nin, my lord."

Legolas stared at the captains back as the elf walked over to the sentry for a quick exchange then wandered over to the bedroll he had laid out earlier and lowered himself down upon his back to allow the stars to lull him into reverie as the prince had witnessed so many times before when on patrol. A wistful smile crossed his face as he wished that his own heart could be eased so easily by such a sight but the stars held no peace for him any more. In truth, it appeared that the only time he found peace from his tumultuous thoughts was when he was either truly exhausted past endurance or wounded enough to slide into oblivion. With a sigh he set to watching his companions hoping it would not be long before he would be able to slip away to hunt down the release he craved.

T.B.C.

A/N Many thanks to all those who have read/followed and even favourited so far. I am forever in your debt. :)

I hope you all continue to enjoy as it goes on. Although it is a slow starter it should pick up pace eventually, just need a little scene setting first ;)

Anyway. That was chapter 3. I hope it was OK but hey! Why not let me know by popping a few words in that little box at the bottom of the page. Go on. You know you want to. :)