Didn't I promise I'd never abandon this story? I'm keeping that Promise. Just...Uh...super slowly? Y'all know I'm awful at updating. I'm sorry.
In true Daisy style, this chapter is unbeta'd and written in the middle of the night. I'm a mess of a person.
Legolas was beginning to feel exhaustion wash over him once more as he kept pace with Elladan, carrying the unconscious Elrohir between them.
Elladan had not spoken a word since they'd left the group and for that, Legolas was grateful- His head was pounding, not that he would admit it to anyone.
As they turned the corner Legolas' eyes fell on a familiar figure, slowly walking away in the same direction they were heading in.
"I see you survived my Adar, Beridhren!" Legolas called out. The Warrior spun at the sound of his name, a large grin breaking out across his face.
"Barely! He's worse than you are, Princeling!" His friend replied with a laugh. "Though, nothing compares with the stress of having all three Sons of Elrond together." He teased, "I see Elrohir finally decided to take a nap."
"Indeed he did, right in the middle of a conversation." Elladan replied with a slight chuckle. "Personally, I think it was quite rude of him- the King isn't that boring."
Legolas couldn't help but laugh at that, but he stopped suddenly when his lungs protested. He winced, unconsciously rubbing at his chest. Immediately Beridhren hurried over, the smile gone from his face.
"Legolas, let me assist Elladan. The Healers will have a collective fit if they see you!" Before Legolas could begin to protest, Elrohir's weight was shifted from him as Beridhren swung the younger twins' arm around his own neck.
"I am well, Beridhren." He assured his friend with a small smile, following them as they continued on to the Healing Halls.
"Oh, I am sure you are in perfect health! That is why you look as if you haven't slept all week." His friend pointed out. "Your left eye has started to twitch slightly." He teased. Legolas half glared at him, automatically raising a hand to rub his face.
"It is not." He protested as he followed them the rest of the way down the Hall and into the room. Beridhren simply rolled his eyes in response, carefully helping to lie the younger twin down on the bed.
It took only a few minutes to explain everything to Beridhren, who stared at Legolas in slight horror.
"Legolas-"
"I am fine! There is truly no reason to worry about me, when we should be focusing on finding where the Assassin has escaped to. I am sure he has not gone far."
"We are meeting in Lord Thranduil's study in half an hour to discuss how to deal with the situation." Elladan explained, moving to the end of Elrohir's bed.
"Beridhren, I believe it would be best if you join us. I am sure my Adar would appreciate having your input." Legolas glanced at his friend, who nodded in response.
"Of course, Legolas."
"As soon as I am sure someone will be here to keep my brother from leaving, I will join you." Elladan informed them, yanking his brother's boots off as he spoke. "I am sure I can find someone who will be able to drug him if he attempts to leave before I return." He joked, half grinning at them.
"I am sure you can. While you find someone, I shall check in on Thandir- I wish to see how he's recovering. Why don't we meet here in fifteen minutes and walk together? I have a few questions regarding the change in Imladris' border patrols."
"That sounds like an excellent plan, Beridhren. I'll be more than happy to answer any of your questions. What about you, Legolas?" Elladan turned to face the Prince.
"I think I shall go and find myself something to eat." Legolas informed them, already heading towards the door. "I'm starving. Shall I bring anything for eitherof you?"
"Could you bring some honey cakes with you?" Elladan asked hopefully. "I have been craving them all morning." Legolas rolled his eyes at the son of Elrond and headed towards out of the room.
"Legolas?" Elladan called after him. "Was that a yes or a no to the honey cakes?"
"I'll do my best, 'Dan!" He called back, shaking his head in amusement.
"Thank you!"
0o0o0o0o
Fifteen minutes later a very well fed Legolas slowly made his way to Thranduil's study, a tray of honey cakes in hand.
As Legolas approached Thranduil's study he noticed that the door stood slightly open, as if someone had simply forgotten to close it behind them. The Prince frowned, slowing to a stop. If there was one thing Thranduil had always insisted on, it was that the door to his study must remain closed. If the door was open, it could only mean one thing.
Someone else was in the room. Someone who did not belong.
Immediately, any feelings of weakness or exhaustion left him as Legolas gently placed the tray down on a nearby table. He silently approached the door, his heart racing in his chest.
As he stepped closer two voices became clear to him.
He immediately recognised one voice as the King- Thranduil has a commanding, low town that was very distinct. The second voice was sharper, slightly higher. There was a clear anger behind it and with a sense of dread, Legolas realised he'd heard the voice before. Silently he pressed himself against the wall, listening to the conversation.
"…When you left me behind." The Assassin sounded bitter as he snapped and the Prince found himself frowning once more.
"I had to, Híthiner! You know as well as I do that you were badly injured! You could not see properly, let alone fight! I was not going to risk your life-"
"MY life, Thranduil! Not yours! You had no right to command me!"
"No right? I was your King and Commander. I had every right to command you." There was a cold anger to Thranduil's response.
"If you had allowed me to fight beside you, my brother would not have taken my place. He would not have died!" There was a slam, as if someone had slapped a desk with all their might.
"We both know that Almarion-"
"DO NOT SPEAK HIS NAME!" The roar echoed down the hall and Legolas winced at the raw anger behind it. "You do not get to speak his name! Not after all you have done!"
"And tell me, what is it exactly that I have done? Why is it that you have returned here after all these years of self-exile with the intent to murder me in my own Halls? Until today, I did not realise you hated me so."
"You sacrificed him! My little brother trusted you, looked up to you- and you sent him like a lamb to the slaughter in order to protect yourself!"
There was the sound of metal grating on metal and Legolas realised with a start that a weapon had been drawn.
"You have gone mad, Híthiner." Thrandui's voice was quiet again, a hint of sadness behind his words. "Something has poisoned your mind with lies."
"The truth is not poison, King Thranduil. My eyes have simply been open to the truth!"
Before Legolas could hear his Atar's reply, the sound of hurried footsteps caught his attention. He stepped away from the door just as Celegon, Elladan and Beridhren ran into view. Legolas quickly signalled them to stop, a finger placed against his lips to silence them as he met them halfway.
"Prince Legolas, what's going on? Beliel ran by us and said someone had broken into the King's study!" Celegon whispered as soon as they reached each other.
"The Assassin who attempted to kill me is in my Father's study as we speak. They seem to be arguing." He quickly explained.
"We must do something! Before he tries to kill the King!" Beridhren hissed, moving to step passed Legolas. The Prince grabbed his arm, shaking his head.
"If we enter, he will kill my Adar without a moment of hesitation. He has a weapon."
"Then what do we do? We cannot leave Thranduil alone with a crazed Assassin!" Elladan spoke up. "We must do something!"
"I have a plan." Legolas glanced around the group, each of them looking slightly uncertain. Celegon frowned, eying the Prince for a second.
"Explain." He ordered, but Legolas only shook his head.
"It will take too long- you just have to trust me." Legolas replied, glancing towards the door. "The moment I give the signal, enter." With no further explanation the Prince turned and ran, vanishing quickly out of sight.
"I have a question." Elladan murmured, frowning slightly.
"Ask it, Elfling." Celegon replied, slightly curious.
"What exactly is the signal?"
We're closing in on the end, now! Just two more chapters to go! I promise to finish this year?