September 1 TA 1636
Lorn was dead.
Thranduil stared at Faroth across the table, his expression unreadable. Men were so fragile, so weak. He had been caught by a band of orcs searching for Erron, and now he was dead, and Erron was an orphan. Huldion was missing. Luin and one other elf were the only two of the group still safe, and Earien was hysterical. How had this all happened so quickly?
"Hir nin-" Faroth prompted gently, and Thranduil closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"We have to extract Luin and his guard and search for the remaining team and Captain Huldion. Prepare forty of our best trained for a search and rescue. Send a high alert message to Luin, tell him we're coming and they are to stay indoors with the guard. Faroth, if you could inquire about Erron's family as well."
"Yes, your majesty," he said and they all rose as the King did. "What if a family cannot be found?"
Thranduil stared at him, "then we shall keep him here and raise him for the time being."
Faroth nodded with a small smile, and Thranduil strode from the room. Thangannas fell in step behind him, and Thranduil could not stop thinking about Luin. He should never had gone. Huldion was trained, he knew what to do and could defend himself. Luin could barely protect himself and he was a nervous person. Gentle and shy. With the condition they had found some members of the group in the surrounding woods, he was afraid for him. There was no way Luin could handle such torment. He raked his hand through his hair and caught Thangannas as he stared at him.
"My apologies, hir nin."
"No apology necessary," he breathed and pushed the door open to the armory.
September 2 TA 1636
Elladan read the letters from his father as he waited for Earien in the garden. They all said that all was well, that everyone was doing well, but little more. He did not mention Elrohir, and there was little in the way of support. He knew his father was upset, and reading the letters made him feel worse. Earien sat in front of him, and Adanion stood by the door. She sighed, and smiled tiredly at him.
"How was patrol?"
"Good. The team respects me and I them. Renil is a strong leader."
"That he is. He has always been on top in Mirkwood."
"Why does he not have a higher position?" Elladan asked.
"He does not want one. He has young children and a family, he does not wish to risk his life."
Elladan nodded in understanding, "I heard about Luin."
Earien glanced at the forest, and back to him, "yes. I am worried, I admit. I feel the need to go after him myself. But I cannot."
"They will get him home safely," Elladan reassured her, but she didn't seem comforted. "Has my father written?"
"Only every day," she smiled. "Surely he has written you as well?"
"Yes, but they are quite vague."
She nodded in understanding, "he is concerned for you, and doesn't really know what to say."
"I feel a bit put out," he admitted, "he will not speak to me about how he feels about the matter."
"He does not want to sway you. You know he went through the same ordeal and he and his brother went different ways, Elros with the Edain, and your father with the Eldar. He knows too well your struggle and knows you must find your own path, in the event Elrohir does choose differently than yourself."
"I know, and I feel terribly about it. I know I will choose the Eldar without question, but Elrohir seems to sway toward men more and more each time we speak of it. I feel like he and I are half of the same person, and when I am, away from him I am not myself."
"Do you not feel better the longer you are here?" she asked.
"I do not miss him as much as I did-"
"In time do you not think that you can become your own, dependent on only yourself? You have been here a short time, but yet you are already missing him less and less. Yes you will always miss him, but will you always feel dependent? I think you have already answered that for yourself."
He stared at his nails for a moment while he thought, and looked up at her, "you are right."
She smiled gently. "Take this time for you, not for thinking about Elrohir or your father."
He smiled and stood, "thank you, Earien."
"Any time," she smiled, and Elladan started toward his room to write his father. He had been right about Earien. She did see things you could not see yourself.
She was reading. That was all she was doing. Reading silently and having a glass of wine. It drove Thranduil crazy. They had spoken very little since Luin had left on that mission. A few words in passing, a discussion here and there about Legolas, but that was it. She would not speak to him or offer him any advice or guidance like she always had. He did not know if it was intentional, she was forward and always spoke her mind to him, so he could not tell. But he could not take it too much longer. He was afraid to bring it up and tear open wounds she was so carefully hiding from everyone, so he simply watch her read until he went to bed.
Thranduil gasped and flinched awake. He glanced next to him and Earien was asleep still. He panted, his hand over his pounding heart. He usually woke her when they were this terrible. He was afraid to, and stood. He gasped quietly as searing pain shot through his leg and back. He stepped quietly from the bedroom, and leaned against the wall. He favored his leg and groaned quietly as he massaged it. The pain was not subsiding, and sweat broke out all over. He cringed and walked across the living room to Pelior's room.
"Pelior." Thranduil called weakly into the room.
Pelior opened the door, "My lord, I am so sorry-"
"I am the one who is sorry, I shouldn't have woken you," Thranduil grumbled.
"It is alright, of course. Are you well, hir nin?"
"I-"
"It is a nightmare then, yes?"
Thranduil nodded shakily, "and my leg."
"Would you like me to draw you a bath? It will help I'm sure."
Thranduil nodded, and Pelior rose and pulled his robe on. "I am sorry Pelior I didn't mean to invade your privacy like that."
"I do not feel invaded, aran-nin. You are welcome to wake me whenever you need." Thranduil smiled, and Pelior noticed he was shaking and his eyes were wide with fear. "Do you wish for me to fetch Queen Earien?"
"No, thank you. She was exhausted as well and I do not wish to wake her," he said quickly.
Pelior was not blind and knew there was some tension between them, but said "I understand." He indicated the bath was ready, and Thranduil stood shakily.
He helped him out of his clothes and into the bath. He closed his eyes, sighing. Pelior washed his hair, and Thranduil asked "Pelior, can I ask you a personal question."
"Yes." He said quietly.
"Are you, married? Have kids?" Pelior was silent, and stopped scrubbing Thranduil's hair. "I am sorry-"
"It's alright, my lord. My wife sailed after the second kinslaying from her wounds and my daughter married a soldier of the galadhrim and lives in Lorien." He said quietly.
"I regret I have never met your family."
After a long pause Pelior said "you are different, from your father and the others."
"How so?"
"I mean no offense, your majesty."
"I'm not offended, I just do not understand what you mean."
"Your father was not kind to me. I was injured and dealing with new found disability. He had no mercy on me and my young daughter, whom I was still trying to figure out how to raise on my own." Thranduil sat silent, unmoving. "My king, I- that was treasonous, I am deeply sorry I- I accept any punishment you see fit my lord. I did not mean to speak against King Oropher's memory," Pelior stuttered, panicked.
Thranduil didn't move, he just turned his head. "Could you help me out please, Pelior." He said quietly.
"Of course your majesty." He said, and took Thranduil's elbow and helped him out. Thranduil threw on his robe. He limped in his room and put clean nightclothes on and combed his hair. Pelior stood silently in the doorframe, his face stoic but his eyes fearful. Thranduil's father had instilled fear in him, he was a good servant out of fear. He was terrified of doing something wrong.
"Pelior." He said quietly. "I am not angry with you." Pelior visibly relaxed. "I know that my father was cold, and I am deeply sorry for anything he did to make your life difficult. You have done far too much for me. Much more than I deserve." Pelior stared at the ground.
Thranduil approached him, making Pelior shrink slightly. "But I am not Oropher. I do not wish you to think I take you for granted in any way, and I do not wish for you to fear me. If you need a day off, tell me. If you want to go visit your daughter, let me know. We are kin, as far as I'm concerned."
Pelior smiled, tears in his eyes. "Thank you, your majesty."
"Once again, I am very sorry for waking you. I just- sometimes I cannot be alone." He admitted.
"It is alright. I care for you, and I am more than willing to help you if you need it."
"Thank you." Thranduil smiled weakly, his eyes tired but burdened by fear and pain.
"My lord, are you sure about lady Earien?"
Thranduil turned his head away, "I would greatly appreciate if you could wake her for me." He whispered.
"Of course." Pelior returned with Earien, who wore her usual kind face. It was still marred by the grief she felt, but nothing could dim her glow.
"I am so sorry-"
"Thranduil. Nonsense, my love." She said quietly, and sat next to him. He looked at her sheepishly, and his face contorted in pain when he moved his leg. "Pelior, could you please get my bag and a glass of wine." Pelior nodded and swept away. She stared at him a moment and he wouldn't meet her eyes. "Why did you not wake me?"
He sighed, "I did not want to bother you."
"Bother me? Why would you think that way? Is your hair wet?"
"Pelior helped me take a bath."
"Are you angry with me?" she asked quietly.
"Earien, no. I thought you were angry with me."
"Why would I be angry with you?"
"Luin is in Gondor because of me, I don't know, you have been avoiding me."
"No I have not. I have been distracted but not because I am angry with you. I have been worried about Luin and Elladan, Elrond writes me nearly every day. Legolas. I have just been preoccupied."
"I am sorry. I should have asked you."
"Do not apologize, now," she said and took her bag from Pelior. She mixed some herbs into the glass of wine and handed it to him. "Pain, muscle relaxing and sleeping herbs. Your usual mixture."
He downed the glass, and Thranduil rose and followed her to the bed, "Pelior, can you please just throw some logs in the fire."
"Of course."
"Thank you so much."
"There is no need." Pelior smiled. Thranduil lay next to Earien, curling against her. She stroked his hair, humming an old sindarin song.
September 3 TA 1636
Legolas blinked to his mother, who sat on the side of the bed. She touched his face gently, and stroked his cheek with her thumb. "How are you feeling?"
He shrugged, his head throbbed. He did not remember anything from that day. He did not remember even leaving the stronghold that day. This memory loss made him nervous, but his mother was unconcerned, so he just ignored it.
"How is Erron?" he asked and she sighed.
"He is having a hard time just now, your father is going to speak to him today. He will be just fine."
"Any news of uncle Luin?"
His mother's face changed to one of pain and fear, but she quickly his it behind her bright eyes and gentle smile, "not yet, penneth. He will be home soon safe."
"I hope so. Can I get up today?"
"Tomorrow. Do not be impatient, if you get up too soon you may end up in bed for weeks,"
"Can I see Calis today?" Legolas asked carefully, trying not to test his mother's patience.
"Sure, I don't see why not."
"Good," Calis said from the doorway. Legolas smiled, and Earien stood and started toward the door.
"He has to stay in bed, Calis, and he is resting."
"Yes, mam." Calis said politely, and Earien closed the door behind her.
"I have missed you, why have you not come?" Legolas asked.
"I have been preoccupied, and I have come by but you have been sleeping each time," he lied.
"How is Erron?" he asked, he did not wish to hear any more lies from Calis.
"I do not know, I have not seen him either."
Legolas watched his cousin, guilt and fear washed over it as he stood and faced away from him. He turned his head, and his golden hair covered his face. "What is going on with you?" Legolas asked quietly. "You have been avoiding me, and you have not even asked Erron how he was? His Adar died looking for him, Calis, now he is stuck here with us and you do not even go to see him?"
"I do not speak westron, Legolas," he tried weakly.
"You speak enough. It does not take many words to show someone you are sorry for their loss. And you are supposed to be my best friend, my kin. You have not come to see me once. My naneth told me when I asked her."
"I do care. You do not understand anything, do you? You almost died. I was responsible for you and that mortal. I did not know where I was, I did not know how to help you. I did not know what Erron needed! What if you had died?" he asked shakily.
"Then I would have died," Legolas responded simply. "But I did not, why must you treat me as if I did?"
"I am sorry." He said quietly. "I just cannot stop thinking about it."
"You must. I am fine, and you cannot dwell on the past, or the future. Neither of them care if we worry."
Calis smiled, "you get your wisdom from your naneth."
"I had to inherit something from her. We do not look related."
Calis laughed, "you have her face, and all the terrifying glares that go with it."
"My adar's faces are quite terrifying, however," Legolas laughed.
"Yes but they are not your Naneth's and I think your Adar would agree."
Legolas barked with laughter, but it turned to a pained moan. Calis crawled onto the bed and made his way to lay next to Legolas. Legolas put his hand on his cousin's arm weakly. "I am never leaving this stronghold again."
September 4 TA 1636
Luin sat quietly in the armory of Lorn's village, well, a small apartment above the armory. His guard, Gelihir, sat with him and nervously looked around the room. They had gotten a message from Mirkwood to stay there until help arrived, and that they would do. If these people could capture Huldion, they were dangerous. Luin was terrified, and thought about the conversation he'd had with Earien. He could have stayed home. But here he was. Gelihir was young and inexperienced, and mortified. Luin glanced over at him, and smiled reassuringly.
"Everything is fine, don't worry."
"But Captain Huldion-"
"Captain Huldion went out on his own, when he knew it was dangerous. The guard is on its way and they are going to search for the others," Luin tried to reassure him. "We will be fine."
Gelihir rose and began to pace around the office, "surely your sister will not leave you here long."
"No. Surely my sister is trying to come get me herself. Hopefully Thranduil will restrain her."
Gelihir ran his hands over his thin mousy hair, his bright grey eyes wide and tearful. He walked over to the door and placed his hand over it, but turned abruptly "What if the entire village is a trap, Luin. They have never helped us-"
"You sound ridiculous. They are helping us right now, they're protecting us until the search and rescue comes."
Gelihir blinked and let a tear fall from his cheek. "Then why is the door locked from the outside?"
September 5 TA 1636
Thranduil knocked on the door, and he heard a small voice call "enter."
He pushed the door open, and Erron sat on the bed wrapped in the blanket. He looked terrible, dark circles around red eyes. He wiped his face, and stood. "I am sorry, I was not expecting you."
"It is alright, do not get up on my account," he said gently. "I have been wishing to speak to you, I have just had much to deal with. Everything is quite chaotic."
"The Queen has come to see me a few times," he said quietly, "she has brought me meals and some things."
"That is good," Thranduil smiled sadly, "I believe we need to talk." Erron nodded, his bloodshot eyes fearful. "Do you have any family?"
Erron stared at him, his eyes wide, and shook his head slowly. "No-"
"Did your father have any friends that may take you in?"
"I- I do not know," he said, and tears welled in his eyes. He sobbed heavily, and tried to hold back. "I am sorry-"
"Listen," Thranduil said gently and put his hands on his shoulders, "Everything is going to be ok."
"I have nowhere to go, no one wants me," he cried.
"If we cannot find you someone who genuinely wants you, you can of course stay here. You are not alone, you have us." Erron looked up at him, and he couldn't hold back any longer. He cried out, and Thranduil opened his arms and offered an embrace, which Erron gladly accepted. He cried in Thranduil's arms, and he brushed his hand over his hair. "Everything is alright. Your father was a very good man who loved you very much. I will not allow his love to be in vain. Do not worry, we will not put you in bad hands. The only reason we are even searching is not because we do not want you, it is because it would be better for you to be with your own people. It would be more difficult for you here. Wherever you end up will be the best place for you. I promise."
Erron nodded in Thranduil's arms, and sobbed. "Thank you. I have been so afraid."
"There is no need to be. We would never do anything to hurt you."
Thranduil knew what happened before anyone came to tell him, before any messengers came. He sat in his office expectantly as the door opened, an alarmed Amandil in the doorway.
"My lord, Luin and Gelihir, They've been captured within the armory. There is note of challenge and ransom."
Thranduil folded his hands gravely. Amandil was nervous. The king's face read nothing but war and rage. He inclined his head, his eyes snake like slits of a King that was done with being taken for a fool. He stood, and his long silvery hair whipped around as his head did to meet Amandil's nervous gaze.
"Let's accept this challenge, then."
Sorry for the delay, I have a hard time keeping to my weekly schedule during school. Thanks for reading! Please review!