*Just a heads up, with our villains getting more involved with the plot and everything, this chapter is a bit more graphic than previous chapters.*

August 27 TA 1636

"Legolas, mellon nin."

He pried his eyes open despite his desire to shut himself out from the world. Pain throbbed in his side and in his temples, and he groaned. His vision cleared to Calis' worried face. His head was in Calis' lap, and his cousin brushed hair from his face.

"Where are we?" Legolas groaned.

"Down river somewhere, I am not sure."

Legolas took a deep breath, and sat up. Calis began to protest, and Erron looked guiltily at him. Legolas stood, and took a step back to regain his balance. He touched his forehead. Blood. He spun around to look at his cousin, "What happened?"

"You hit your head on a rock in the river, I had to pull you out," Calis said quietly.

Legolas turned to look at Erron, who looked away, ashamed, "I am sorry. This is my fault, and I have caused you nothing but trouble since I arrived here. When we return to the stronghold, I will bother you no longer."

Legolas glanced at Calis, who shrugged. "I am not angry, none of this has been your fault. You could not swim and I urged you into the water. I was responsible, this is my doing."

Erron shrugged, and Calis walked up next to Legolas, "we must get going, hopefully we can make it back to the stronghold by nightfall."

Elladan drew his sword, and orcs crashed through the surrounding brush, weapons over their heads. He turned and killed three orcs in quick succession. He turned and killed two more, his sword flew quickly through the air to meet the necks and sides of those before him that dared defy him. He killed another running in pursuit of one of his team members, and sighed in the new found silence. He sheathed his sword and turned toward the others, who stared at him.

"Impressive, Captain," Renil smiled, "Welcome to the team."

Elladan could not help but smile at the acceptance he felt with the sentiment, and bowed his head, "thank you."

Brethil dabbed at a cut on his shoulder and met Elladan's eyes with respect. "I apologize for my rudeness. I was mistaken. You have my loyalty, Captain."

Elladan nodded, "thank you. I appreciate your respect for me and I accept your apology."

Brethil almost smiled, and inclined is head respectfully before he returned to his bedroll to pack.

They packed and got on their way, traipsing along the remaining areas of light in the forest. Elladan did have an easier time with the boots Renil had given him, and his feet were not nearly as sore as they were. He was wearing the uniform of the sentinel now; a dark green tunic and dark brown leggings. He was given wrist guards and fingerless gloves for climbing trees, although he could not seem to get himself in one no matter what he or Renil tried. That night he taught some of the team the combat skills his father had taught him. He felt slightly homesick after. He felt a little remorse for leaving his father the way he did. He knew the rift between he and his brother took a toll on Elrond, and he had done nothing to comfort his father.

He sat alone on his bedroll, and Renil approached him. "We return to the stronghold tomorrow," he said quietly.

Elladan looked up at him, "already?"

"Yes, goes by quickly does it not?"

Elladan smiled and his eyes returned to the splinter in his hand, "I feel I need to write my father."

"He and the queen are very close, are they not?"

"Yes. She is very dear to him. It is quite a long story."

Renil smiled, "get some rest, we leave at dawn."

August 28 TA 1636

Thranduil strode quickly down the corridor and tried to avoid the gaze of all that passed him. He had a plan that was most likely to fail, but he could not sit in the stronghold any longer while his son was in danger. He wore the uniform of the royal guard. Grey and green with light mail and a helmet with a visor, so only his eyes were showing.

He had told Amandil he was to search for Legolas. He knew he would not try to stop him, and he nodded. Faroth was out looking for him, so he had to leave before he returned.

When he got to the stable he readied his horse, and mounted it before he heard an approaching group. He cursed silently, and turned to see Faroth ride toward him, eyes wide. "Where are you going with the King's horse?" he asked, but his voice gave away his suspicion. He knew it was Thranduil.

Thranduil pulled the helmet off, and sighed. He ran his hands through his hair. "You cannot command me, Faroth. I will search for my son if I wish."

"I know, and I will not stop you. However, it is incredibly unwise," he said with a sigh.

"I know that. But I do not care, currently. I cannot wait any longer," he said, pain in his voice. Faroth got off his horse, his eyes pained as well, and approached Thranduil.

"I know you are worried, we all are, and I am sure the queen is a mess. But you cannot risk the fate of your kingdom. We have found no signs of a struggle, they are probably lost. Your son is clever, Thranduil. I do not believe he is in danger for a moment. Let me keep searching for him."

Thranduil picked up hints of guilt in his voice, and got off his horse, "what is it?"

"I- I gave him permission to go swimming. It is my fault," he said quietly.

"No, I told you he could ask you permission for things when I was not available. I would have said yes as well," he said quietly.

"I will search, day and night for him. He will not come to harm while I stand. But please, do not make me worry for you as well. Stay and run your kingdom. Your people need you."

Thranduil stared into the forest a moment, and nodded, "you are right."

Faroth observed him regretfully, and put his hand on his shoulder. "Trust me. I will make this right."

Thranduil nodded, a sense of loss and fretfulness settled within him. He needed his wife, but she too felt this fret. He searched for her presence within him, and she too was overcome with worry. Come see me she said quietly to him in his mind, "I must go. Thank you, Faroth."

"Thranduil."

He turned, and walked back toward him, "I received this letter from one of the members of the team that you sent with Huldion to Lorn's village. Days after he disappeared. You should read it."

Thranduil unfolded the letter,

Commander Faroth,

For days we have searched long and hard, turning every rock and ever leaf in search of the culprits, and still nothing has come up. False leads have been laid, and we have spent days following trails leading to nothing but lost time. Captain Huldion grows desperate, and will not admit defeat. Every day we lose a team member regardless of the precautions we take. I confess that I am fearful, and wish to return to Mirkwood. Whomever we seek knows what they are doing.

Dinoth

Thranduil looked up at Faroth, guarded, and walked away.

Earien was in the conservatory drinking tea with Alonnen. He loved the flowers that grew under the elven glass that lay overhead, each a different color. Alonnen rose when he arrived, "I will see you two at dinner."

Thranduil nodded and sat in her seat. The only people in the room besides the two of them were Thangannas and Adanion. He felt comfortable being himself in their presence, for they had seen him at his best and at his worst. He groaned and put his hands over his face.

"Has Faroth returned?" she asked nervously.

"Indeed he has, with no signs of him."

She glanced around uneasily and put her head in her hands. She looked up at Thranduil's tense form hunched over the table and touched his shoulder. "If anyone is to find him aside from us it would be Faroth."

He knew she was right, but he could not be calm until his son was with him again. "I cannot tame my mind, I cannot stop worrying about him."

"Nor can I. I cannot get my mind off of him, and Luin."

"I have not heard from Huldion in a few days. I have sent a guard to bring a message for them to return."

She stared at him, her eyes wide, "you are worried about them are you not? What do you know?"

He hesitated, "I simply know that it is far too dangerous for them. Huldion is over his head."

She stared at him a moment, before she rose and walked away from the table, Adanion fell quickly in step behind her.

August 29 TA 1636

"Everything is as planned," Beinion said quietly as he sipped his tea. Erodolliel sat on the counter of their small apartment.

The captain and the queen's brother are still protected," she pointed out quietly.

"I am aware. But they will not be for much longer." His eyes fell on the elves he had tied up on the floor. Beside the captain and the brother of the queen, these two were the highest ranking in the group, and close friends of the Captain. They were the most useful of the elves he'd captured, so he kept these two alive. They were conscious, this he could tell, but they lay silently, motionlessly and stared at the wall.

He approached the one Erodolliel had caught earlier that day, and rolled him towards him by his elbow. His grey eyes found his, terror amid the anger in his face. "What is your name?"

"Dinoth," he spat.

"Well, Dinoth, I will let you live, if you will answer a few questions for me." Dinoth glared at him, and Beinion smiled. "Good. All I want to know is simply the name of the Captain that led your group." The elf said nothing and stared at the wall. Beinion slapped him with a vulgar crack, and the elf's head turned, his hair over his face. Beinion tore the elf's hair back from his face and held it in his fist. "I do not have time for Mirkwood heroics. Your silence will get you nothing but the slow and painful death of your comrade." He growled angrily.

Dinoth glanced at the elf on the floor who was facing the wall, Minador. He knew his wife just had a baby, and he himself was just beginning to move through the ranks, "the King and Queen will have your head for this."

Beinion rolled his eyes and nodded his head toward the elf on the ground. Erodolliel kicked him in the ribs and Minador cried out and curled, "His broken ribs say otherwise. Where is Thranduil? Where is he now, as you suffer in honor of his name? I am willing to bet he sits now on his throne behind his walls of stone. He is going to recall your captain and leave you here to die in the name of Mirkwood."

Fear flashed in Dinoth's eyes and he heard the quiet gasps of his team member in the corner. What could possibly happen as a result of telling him Huldion's name? "Let him go and I will tell you his name," Dinoth said and nodded toward the elf on the ground.

"You are not in a position to bargain. Tell me his name, and I won't send him home in little pieces."

"In that case I would rather you break every bone in my body."

Beinion smiled, "that can be arranged. But first," he said and pointed to Minador, "tie him to a tree, Erodolliel, and make sure he cannot see where he has come from."

Legolas stumbled after Calis, his eyes half closed. He hadn't paid attention to where they were going at all, even though he was supposed to be trying to help his cousin navigate the forest. Calis rarely left the stronghold and didn't know the forest like Legolas, but Legolas barely knew he was even in the forest. His head pounded in rhythm with his footsteps, and his vision was so blurred he shook his head every few minutes to try and clear his head. Calis dragged him along and held his hand gently, occasionally asked if he recognized where he was. His head sounded as if it had water in it, and all he wanted to do was stop and sleep.

Calis was worried, but didn't let Erron pick it up. Legolas was barely conscious, and Calis had no idea where they were in relation to the Stronghold. He did not know how to take care of a man. He knew they needed food and sleep far more than elves- but how much more? Would he try to tell him? He looked back at him, and he was following behind, head hung. He spoke far less westron than Legolas did. Legolas had learned so quickly in his excitement- what was he going to do? Legolas tripped and fell to his knees, and Calis pulled him up gently. He took his face in his hands, and blood dripped from the wound at his forehead.

"Can we stop, please," Legolas breathed.

"We have not been walking long. I know you want to stop, we will stop soon and rest I promise."

Legolas nodded, his heavily lidded eyes finding his for a moment, before promptly vomiting. Calis led him on, and Erron followed silently.

They did not walk for more than ten minutes before Calis realized they were not too far from the stronghold. He wanted to cry he was so relieved. He heard horses, and spun around to face them. It was Faroth and Amandil with a small group of the guard. Calis called out, and Faroth reached him first, and jumped off. He ran over to Calis, and he began to cry, all of the pressure and responsibility on his chest finally gone. Faroth turned to Amandil, "check on the boy," he nodded and went to speak with Erron. Faroth smiled gently at Calis, "sit down for a moment. You're alright." Calis sat at the base of a tree, and Faroth took Legolas in his arms and examined the extensive blood at the side of his head. He spoke quietly to him, and Legolas could barely understand him.

"Is he ok?" Calis cried.

"He is alright, he has a concussion. But we have to get back to the stronghold now, and there we will talk. Alright?"

Calis nodded and Faroth lifted Legolas into his arms. Calis got on Amandil's horse and Erron on Faroth's assistant's horse, and the rode quickly toward the stronghold.

At the entrance stood Thranduil and Earien, who looked thankful and horrified at the same time. Faroth handed Legolas to Thranduil, who cradled him against his chest. They turned and walked quickly back into the stronghold toward the healing wing. Faroth helped Calis down, and they walked back to the royal wing in silence. Faroth had his arm around his shoulder, and he seemed more than willing to speak to him of his troubles, until his assistant ran up to him with a letter. His face changed to terror, and he walked faster. "I will speak with you later if you wish, or you can speak with the King. Something has happened. Rest and eat. You have deserved it," Calis nodded and was left in the presence of his mother, while Faroth hurried to the healing wing.

Thranduil sat next to the bed and read to Legolas while Earien stitched up a deep cut on his side. Although Earien assured him he would be fine, Thranduil could not help but watch his son nervously as he read. Earien hummed quietly, which soothed them both, and she tied off the stitch.

"Thranduil," he turned, Faroth dashed in.

"What is it?"

"Its Lorn."

August 30 TA 1636

Huldion moved quietly through the woods, bow in hand. He had received word of an elf in men's clothing moving in the direction he was. He had left Luin at the camp with the last remaining member of his team for their own safety, despite their protests. His hair was tied back so he could focus better, and scaled the nearest tree with ease. He could not see any signs of anyone but himself, but he did feel as if he was not alone. He checked behind himself repeatedly, and scolded himself for his paranoia. It was no way to hold himself as the leader of a mission.

He heard a rubbing noise, and turned quickly, his bow strung. e HYHe saw light brown hair blow from behind a tree trunk, and climbed down quietly. He went around the tree, and gasped. It was Minador, a member of his team that had disappeared almost a week prior. Minador flinched in response to Huldion's gasp, and screamed at the top of his lungs. He struggled against the rope that held him against the tree.

"Mellon! It is me, Huldion," he said quietly, his face in his hands.

Minador cried out in joy, and Huldion cut him free. "Goheno nin, mellon."

"There is nothing to forgive," Huldion said, the shock slowly wore off, and he looked at his teammate. He was missing two fingers, and his arms were covered in blood. A chunk of his hair was missing, and he suddenly came to a realization. "Can you see?"

"No," he whispered despairingly. "I do not know what happened, but I woke up and now I cannot see."

"Ok, do not worry. We are going home, right now. This is too much for us."

"My fingers-"

"Be still," he said quietly and took his hand in his. He tore his cloak and wrapped his hand quickly. He was suddenly nervous, and wanted to get back to Luin as fast as he could.

A sharp pain rang through his back and he fell to his side. Minador cried out, and was silent. He looked up to a few elves with bows walking towards them.

Sorry for the delay! I had a birthday and midterms and such. Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please review, feel free to ask questions! :)