An: This is just a short chapter; I have the next chapter written already, but I figured that I should tell this before jumping over a few weeks of time. So have a chapter focusing on the elves and what happens to Gwaen – if you're not interested, you can skip this chapter, since it won't affect Kili anymore, but I suggest you read it. C: I'll publish the next chapter, the 'real' chapter tomorrow or the day after it!
Legolas stood next to his father's throne, his hands behind his back, clean suit on, hair well braided. He and his father had talked about this for a couple of days already, but not before now had they done anything. Some part of him felt bad for Gwaen – he had been an excellent head of guard at times. It was his violent nature and untrustworthiness that made him unsuitable for the job. They both, Legolas and Thranduil, knew it now.
Some part of it was a punishment. Legolas knew that Gwaen hadn't had any right to attack the dwarf and that it had been wrong in every way. He knew that Gwaen needed to answer for what he had done. But still, something didn't feel good. Maybe it was how eager Thranduil was to punish him – it was like Thranduil needed someone to take the blame for everything that had happened to the dwarf, someone to take the blame so he wouldn't feel responsible.
It was all Legolas' wondering, and he couldn't know if that was true, but he believed it was. Still, he was pleased that the captain of the guard would be former in a matter of minutes, and he was happy that no one believed Gwaen on what had really happened in Mirkwood. Legolas wasn't sure how that had happened, but it had, and he didn't complain.
"Do you know why we have brought you up here?" Thranduil asked, eyeing Gwaen who stood in front of them. Legolas could see betrayal in Gwaen's eyes. He must have known what to expect.
"I know, my king", Gwaen said in a very polite way, "it must have something to do with the dwarf."
"You are correct", Thranduil answered and glanced at Legolas.
"You are here because of what you did to him, and for the lies you spread. You must answer for those actions", Legolas told Gwaen, staring at him. "Do you have anything to say to defend yourself?"
For a moment Legolas thought that Gwaen would bring up how the prince had helped Kili escape, but it seemed that Gwaen chose the I respect those with higher positions and I will not speak my mind, please don't throw me out- approach because he said nothing of that.
"I accept that I have done wrong and I need to be responsible for my actions, but also consider how well I have lead the guards", he said, ducking his head a little bit. "For decades I have been the captain of the guard, and for one mistake you will punish me?"
"Are you suggesting that you shouldn't be held accountable for your mistakes just because of your position? Because how well you've done your work?" Thranduil asked, raising another eyebrow.
A nod.
Thranduil and Legolas exchanged a quick look before Legolas ducked his head to hide a grin. "You do not seem to understand how punishments work. Everyone, who does something wrong, will be punished some way or another, despite their position, authority or how good they are in their work", he said as soon as he looked up again. Everyone but me and my father, it seems.
Something in Gwaen's eyes changed as he looked at Legolas, narrowing them a little. "My apologies", he said in a threatening tone, which caused Legolas to snort. "Why are you even here? You had nothing to do with Kili and his escape, remember?"
Legolas took a step forward. "If I were you, I would keep my mouth shut."
"Yeah? Are you going to shove me against a tree again, threaten me?" Gwaen raised his voice, taking a step forward as well so Legolas could almost feel his hot breath on his face.
"Maybe I will!" Legolas answered, pushing Gwaen a bit. The head of the guard was just about to push him back, when Thranduil stepped in the middle of them, pushing his son further away from the head of the guard. He received an angry glare from both of the younger elves.
"Gwaen, son of Calemen, you are now dismissed from the position of Captain of Guard, and Manadh shall take your place. I deny you from interacting with our possible future prisoners. You may not work as a regular guard either for some time – couple of hundred years, at least. You may leave."
xx
Legolas stepped out of his father's room and almost ran into Aíthon. "Woa- what are you doing here?"
"I came to see if you were able to talk", Aíthon said, looking at Legolas, and just now Legolas noticed that the guard's lip was open and his eye looked like it would swell soon. "I came across Gwaen. He seemed angry", he told with a light chuckle.
Frowning, Legolas nodded. "He surely is. My father dismissed him from his position as the captain of the guard as well as denied him from working as a regular guard."
"Really?" Aíthon asked, a small grin spreading on his face, quickly forcing it away as he realized something. "Should I be sad or happy?"
Legolas shrugged. "Whatever you please. My feelings are mixed, but being happy isn't bad. You two weren't exactly friends so I understand why you feel that way."
"I guess so, yeah", Aíthon agreed and nodded, eyeing the prince. "I should thank you, for what you did. I wanted to help the dwarf, but I couldn't."
"Yes, I remember what happened between you and the boy, and later with my father", Legolas replied. "Maybe it was better that you did nothing. It would have been a shame to lose a good guard. I will talk to Manadh, as he is now the head of the guard, and maybe he could give you your old position back. I think you have deserved it."
Aíthon's eyes widened in surprise. He had not expected that to happen. "That would be greatly appreciated. I mean- I'd do anything to have my old position back."
A small smile spread on Legolas' lips as he patted Aíthon on the shoulder. "Don't worry. You will get it back."