ROGUE

Chapter Four: Finding his own answers

Thranduil would have rocked back on his heels if he wasn't sitting down; Legolas saw the shock etched on the King's face and so he asked again.

"Is this not me, father?" he asked, only this time his tone was a little softer—for some odd reason, that look of utter shock gave the prince a pang of unwanted guilt.

Thranduil swallowed hard before he gave his thought-out answer. "Yes," he finally said, and paused as though he was deciding if that was the appropriate word to use. "Yes, it is you, my son."

A look of hope returned to Legolas's blue eyes. "Then do you know the meaning of this?" he asked, sounding even calmer.

Thranduil shook his head, almost violently. "I know not the meaning—if there even is a meaning—I only know that that child is you. I—I have…" he swallowed hard, for he knew that his son's soul searching eyes were staring at him intently, "…I have no idea how that picture wound up there. Whoever has that must have attained it by some ill means…probably just to cause trouble, to stir up dead demons of the…" Thranduil stopped abruptly, realizing that he had spoken his thoughts aloud, something that he did not do often. In his anger, he had blurted out something that was better left unsaid. He also saw Legolas's face. The King knew that if he tried to go back now, he would only entangle himself in a futile lie.

Legolas seemed to suddenly understand in some manner why his father was so nervous. It appeared that Thranduil knew far more than what he was letting on. Legolas put on a calm face, for he still refused to disrespect his father. "Tell me father, you know more than what you are telling me. If it involves me, I must know it—especially if it will help me to solve the mystery of this dream."

Thranduil stared at him for a moment, unblinking, for he was waging an inner war. If he told Legolas, he would surely lose his son—no doubt of it. If he did not tell, Legolas would be very angry with him for a time, but he would eventually come around again. But if Legolas somehow discovered on his own…

"Legolas, you must understand that what you just heard me babbling about was the rambled of a frightened father. It is only on instinct that I assumed something so preposterous. There is no weight to it, and I am afraid to tell you, you must let this dream go; it means nothing. You have my word on this; I assure you."

Legolas looked into his father's green eyes, and how he wanted to believe him; he would have given everything to believe that assurance. But he could not.

With a clenched jaw, the Prince took the locket back. "Father, I must ask you to send my apologies to Estel, for I am sorry that I will not be able to tell him goodbye."

"Where are you going to be, Legolas?" Thranduil asked, suddenly having a terrible feeling deep within.

"There is something that I must do, father; somewhere I must go," he said, without turning to face his father.

"Do not leave, I beg you Legolas. Do not venture into the woods—not now, not until it is safe."

Legolas suddenly turned to face him. "Why? Is there something or someone that I should be afraid of?"

Thranduil started to say something but changed his mind.

Legolas looked away, unable to look Thranduil in the eye, for deep down, he felt guilty for going against his father's plea. "I am going to find my own answers. Goodbye father."

Thranduil grabbed his son by the arm and spun him around. Legolas could clearly see anger in the elf's eyes, but he also saw something else…desperation?

"I am your father and you are to do as I say. I want to remain here, and so you will do."

Legolas returned his father's stare. "I want to stay, father, and I will—if you tell me the truth."

Thranduil swallowed hard, as though he was contemplating his options. "No," he finally said. "There is nothing to tell you, Legolas; you foolish—idiot! You seek answers where they do not exist!"

"I want to believe you father—you have no idea how badly I want to do so…but I must find my own answers."

Thranduil's blood began to boil. He threw his hands up resignedly and walked over to the window. "I cannot stop you, for you are too stone-headed to see true logic, but," he said, turning to face the Prince once more, "You cannot expect me to find an pity for you when your lifeless body is returned to me."

Legolas paled at those words, but held his resolve. "I will do what I must, father," he said calmly.

Thranduil, obviously angry, glared at his son. "Very well then, go! Walk to your death like the fool that you are! If you find anyone who you think you are looking for, do you remotely believe that they will spare your life? What use are answers if you are dead?"

Legolas offered no argument to his father's rant. After the King had spoken, he simply turned and walked away.

To find his own answers.

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Estel had left at the appointed time, and Thranduil had informed him that Legolas simply was unable to be present to see him off. Estel understood and wasn't about to press the issue. He knew that his good friend had a lot on his mind, and he knew that Legolas knew he would always be there if the Prince wanted to share his burden with another.

Fingolfin had decided to ride to Rivendell as well. For some, including Estel, it came across as a spur of the moment, but it seemed that King Thranduil had expected it, even looked upon his son with beaming pride as he set out, some hours before Estel.

The man retained no hopes or desire of catching up with that one. No, he would rather journey alone that ride with the Elven prince.

It pained Estel everyday to think of how someone so cold had captured the heart of Lady Arwen. It pained him to the point where he could dwell on it no longer.

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Legolas had wasted no time in gathering the supplies that he would need before saddling his horse and riding away.

In truth, he knew not which direction would lead him to the answers which he sought. And now that he was on his own, he was beginning to wonder if he had taken things too far with his father. Why could he have just been content with Thranduil's answers and reassurances?

Legolas shook away the nagging notion with the thought that his father's obvious lies had driven him to this point.

He decided to head for the place where Fingolfin had found the locket which Legolas still wore around his neck. He set his horse at a decent pace as they made their way to the spot. He looked up at the sky and saw that night was fast approaching. It would not be long before he would be forced to set camp. He did not have much time.

He managed to ride all the way to that very same place, despite the fact that darkness had already descended; he arrived and looked around to the best of his ability, but yet he saw nothing.

Still willing to give it a try the next morning, when the light would aid his vision greatly, the Elven Prince set up a small camp nearby.

He did not notice that he was being watched—closer than what he could ever imagine.

Several sets of eyes watched the Prince intently; they had followed him back to this point and knew that he had obviously taken the bait, for he had been searching the very spot where the locket and dagger had been planted.

It would not be much longer now; their master would surely be pleased.