Many thanks to everyone who reviewed Part III.

Part IV: Be Cruel to Be Kind

"Wine?" Thranduil asked.

Arbellason nodded, going to the jug on the sideboard to fill two cups. He handed one to Thranduil and sat down with the other himself.

"Where is Legolas?"

The Elven-king laughed a little bitterly. "He has taken the night patrol. He could not get out of the stronghold quickly enough… Oh, he will be at Council. I have impressed that necessity upon him. Do not worry."

"I was not worried about that."

Arbellason hesitated, and Thranduil understood the cause. His friend had a good relationship with his son, but it was nothing like the bond Legolas shared with Thorontur, which had grown even stronger when Feredir had given up his sword, leaving Legolas as the only one of the young warriors Thorontur could see as the inheritor of his legacy.

"Thorontur's reaction did not upset him?" Arbellason asked at last.

"I think he was prepared for far worse."

"And what about Legolas' friends? Judging by what we just witnessed, dissent in the War Council will not stay confined to the War Council this time."

Thranduil shrugged. Aeroniel was level-headed enough, but Saeldur had a fierce temper to go with his fierce loyalty, and as respectful as he normally was towards King and Council, Thranduil had no illusions about where that loyalty truly lay. Normally it made no difference – as far as Thranduil was concerned, loyalty to his son was loyalty to him – but at this time it might cause complications. Even Rochendilwen, whom Thranduil had never seen angry, had shown some signs of belligerence.

"Saeldur will not make trouble for Legolas," he said, having thought it over. "If he wants to argue with Thorontur, that is between them. I think we can trust to Aeroniel's good judgement to keep him and Rochendilwen from doing or saying anything drastic." Thranduil hesitated and then went on, "I have sent for Thorontur now."

"That is as well. Perhaps we can persuade him to be more moderate in his reactions before the others."

They sat in silence for some time, enjoying the wine. It was several minutes before Thorontur joined them. The temperature in the room seemed to drop with his entry.

He ignored Thranduil's greeting, throwing himself into a chair and demanding, "Why am I here?"

"To share a cup of wine with us," Thranduil said mildly. "Is that so difficult?"

"A cup of wine? Is this any time for a cup of wine?"

Arbellason poured a cup for him and held it out. "We all agreed when Thranduil became King that arguments in the Council chamber would stay in the Council chamber. Have a cup of wine."

"You say this to me? After today's Council –"

Arbellason squared his shoulders, putting the cup down. "What did I say in Council that was so terrible?"

"What did you…" Thorontur shook his head in disbelief. "Very well, I will refresh your memory. You accused me of being careless of Thranduil's son's safety. Of Legolas' safety." He turned on Thranduil. "And you sat by and listened."

"Leave Thranduil out of this if your quarrel is with me," Arbellason said. "And I never said you were careless of Legolas' safety."

"What right do you have to say anything on the subject?" Thorontur snapped. "Are you the one who sits with Legolas in the Healing Wards when his father is too busy with duties of state? Are you the one there to soothe him when he has borne the brunt of Thranduil's temper? Are you –"

"Enough!" Thranduil interrupted. "I did not call you here to discuss my failings as a father. Nobody is attempting to deny what you have been to Legolas."

"I might not have had the advantage of hours of archery lessons over which Legolas could confide in me," Arbellason interjected tightly, "but if you imagine I do not care about him – and that is not even the point!"

"I thought it was your point!"

"You love Legolas, you say – and, yes, I know it is true. You love him as a son. Yet when Thranduil was reluctant to let him go where the danger was greatest, who was it who told him that a King who is willing to share the fate of the warriors must be willing to share the fear of their families? And from that fear you now remove yourself –"

"Do not dare tell me I do not worry about Legolas, or that I worry less about him than I would about Feredir or Calathiel. I have spent far longer helping the Healers bind his wounds than even Thranduil has –"

"Once again, Thorontur," Thranduil said, his voice almost a low growl, "I did not summon you to discuss my failings as a father."

"Why am I here?"

"I hoped we could have a civilized conversation."

Thorontur got to his feet. "If there is no other way in which I can serve you, my lord, I must ask your leave to retire."

Arbellason stared. "What is wrong with you?"

"Your leave, my lord," Thorontur repeated stubbornly.

Thranduil let out a breath. "Very well, go."

"Spider," Húrphen hissed.

Legolas followed the direction of his pointing finger. There was more than one spider. A quick count revealed at least a dozen.

Legolas made a discreet signal to unsheathe bows, grateful that the patrol was made up entirely of his archers, who were accustomed to obeying gestures and would need no verbal commands. He did not bother turning to see if the instruction had been followed. The archers would be most seriously offended by any suggestion that he doubted their instant obedience.

He waited, as the spiders scuttled closer through the trees. More than twelve… Fourteen, sixteen, twenty.

Legolas gestured again, and the air was thick with arrows.

"I do not believe you."

Saeldur forced himself to keep his expression mild. "I do not understand, my lord."

"No?" Míron sneered. "Perhaps spending so much time with halfbloods and fools has addled your brain. Let me explain." He got to his feet. "You and Legolas have been friends since you were both children. Everyone knows this. You are his second-in-command. The most trusted of his captains." Míron was directly before him now, cold eyes holding Saeldur's. "Tell me, which is likelier? That you have suddenly abandoned your dearest friend and are trying to kill him to claim his father's throne? Or that you are here to spy on his behalf?"

For Legolas, Saeldur reminded himself. This was for Legolas, and he had to do and say anything it took to make Míron believe him.

"I would never have done this for the sake of the throne. I am acting for the good of the realm I am sworn to serve. I do not deny that it has been a difficult decision. But I have seen the truth of what you say. Legolas is my dearest friend, but he is weak. He has too much of his mother in him, and he has not the heart for battle. There are times when sacrifices must be made."

"All true," Míron conceded, stepping away. "But explain what you mean. To say that our beloved warrior-prince has no heart for battle… Not many would agree with you, Saeldur. And yet you of all Elves should know that best – perhaps even better than the King."

Saeldur fought not to clench his fists. That he had been brought to this! To stand here and lay Legolas' weaknesses bare to his enemies!

But this was for Legolas' sake, he reminded himself, and no other thought could have made him go on.

"He has too much pity in his heart, even for the most wretched of creatures. I do not deny his courage, but too much kindliness will be his undoing. And ours."

"Also true. But so far you have given me only words, Saeldur."

"I do not know what you expect of me, my lord."

"Perhaps you can answer some questions for me." Míron sat again, gesturing to Saeldur to take the chair on the opposite side of the fireplace, beside Arahael. "Answer truthfully."

Saeldur nodded, sitting.

For Legolas. He would endure this vile Elf and his viler words.

"Have you and Legolas ever quarrelled?"

Saeldur almost laughed at that. It was hardly a secret. "We argue, my lord. Often. But we do not have many serious quarrels."

"Why not?"

Saeldur blinked. "It hardly seems worth it, when we risk our lives everyday."

"I suppose not." Míron smiled. "And Legolas and Thranduil? Do they never have serious quarrels either?"

Saeldur drew in a slow breath. This was more difficult. Every member of court, possibly every Elf in Middle-earth and most of the Men and Dwarves, knew that the Elven-king had a hot temper, and Legolas was not far behind. Very few Elves knew how often those tempers could flare in the privacy of the royal quarters – especially Thranduil's, since the King did not have the option of channelling his anger into his battles.

But he had to make Míron believe him. Eredhion and Voronwë would do their best to keep Legolas safe, but they had no idea of the extent of Míron's planning, something Saeldur himself was only now learning. Míron would outsmart them easily.

"Sometimes they do," he said quietly. "But they do not last long."

"Has the King ever said or suggested that Legolas is in any way to blame for Lindariel's death?"

This at least Saeldur could answer truthfully. "Not to my knowledge, my lord."

"Would Legolas have told you?"

"If he told anybody in Eryn Galen, he would tell me. But it is possible that the prince's guards know more of the matter than I do, even without being told."

"Yes, Eredhion and Voronwë are always in and out of the royal quarters. I expect they do hear a great deal that nobody else does… Tell me this, then. Has Legolas ever spoken to you of what happened the night Lindariel died?"

Elbereth. Saeldur still remembered that every word of that conversation, the night before Legolas had begun his duties again after the Queen's death. He remembered huddling under a shared cloak in the highest branches of an oak – the cloak more to conceal the beacon of Legolas' bright hair from guards on patrol than against the cold; it had been a warm night. He remembered the quiver in Legolas' voice and the tears shining on his cheeks in the starlight.

That was one confidence Saeldur could not betray, not even for this.

Yet he knew Míron would not believe him if he denied it altogether.

"Legolas has told me some things," he said at last. "Eredhion and Voronwë will know more, as will the sons of Elrond."

That much, at least, was true. Saeldur had heard everything Legolas remembered, but that was little. He had been only half-conscious through most of the events of that horrific night. Saeldur had never tried to find out more than Legolas could tell him. It would have felt like betrayal.

This felt like betrayal.

"Perhaps." Míron shrugged. "Perhaps not. Do you think Legolas was responsible for what happened to Lindariel?"

"He was little more than a child," Saeldur said easily. "He had only begun his weapons training. Bregolien was a fine swordsman with many years of experience. I doubt Legolas could have prevented what happened."

Míron surveyed him narrowly. "And if it were… necessary… Could you persuade Legolas that he is to blame?"

Elbereth. "Perhaps. Legolas trusts me. He lets it cloud his judgement. I might persuade him that he is as guilty as if he held the sword himself. If I had to." Saeldur met Míron's calculating gaze. "Do you trust me now?"

"I would dearly like to, Saeldur. It would make our task so much easier if we could trust you. You are close to Legolas. He would never dream of doubting you."

"I have answered all your questions."

"You have given me more than I thought you would, but you have still given me only words." Míron leaned forward. "I must think on what you have said. Tomorrow. Noon. Come to the beech tree by the fork in the stream behind the stronghold, and come alone. I will tell you then how to prove yourself."

"You want to speak of this in the forest?" Saeldur asked. "And in broad daylight? Word will reach Legolas if you do."

"I know how to silence the trees," Míron said dismissively.

"Sound off!" Legolas called.

The archers named themselves as they walked among the carcasses of the spiders, making certain they were all dead and using quick knife thrusts to end any signs of movement.

"All well," said Húrphen, when everybody had finished. "What now?"

Legolas looked around. "Who is not on patrol tomorrow?" Four hands went up. Legolas nodded. "The four of you, then – follow their tracks and see where they came from. If they came from the south and merely slipped past the border guard…" He shrugged. "That we can deal with."

"If there is a nest within our borders?" asked an elleth.

"I trust your judgement, Tinthel. If it is small enough, destroy it. If not, leave a guard and come back to the stronghold for reinforcements. Ask for Lady Ellaurë if you cannot find me. Do not take any unnecessary risks."

Saeldur sat in his room in the warriors' quarters, knowing sleep would not come that night.

Legolas would return from patrol soon, but Saeldur did not dare go find him. He would not put it past Míron to have his room watched, and too much depended on Míron believing he had Saeldur's wholehearted support.

He bit his lip, turning a page of the book he was trying to read.

He did not even dare tell Eredhion and Voronwë. He did not doubt their loyalty to Legolas – they would die for him – but he could not risk Míron finding out.

His fists clenched, and he quickly shoved the book onto a shelf to keep himself from throwing it across the room.

Had Candnaur known of Míron's plot? He must have known. He had been the next in line, after Legolas, and if Míron was trying to involve Saeldur, he would have tried to involve his older brother. And while Saeldur knew Candnaur would have been horrified by the very thought, Míron might not have known that.

But… if that had happened… Surely Candnaur would have told him. He would not have heard about a plot against the life of the prince and kept quiet about it. He could not have been involved…

Saeldur snuffed out the thought before it had a chance to form, appalled at himself. He had been about to name his brother a traitor. He did suppose for a moment that it was truly possible. This was what came of associating with spies and schemers. Saeldur was turning into one himself.

Seeing the light under the door, Legolas knocked.

When he went in, he was surprised to see Lord Arbellason still there. He had expected his father to be alone in his sitting-room at this hour. He was about to apologize and leave, but the King gestured for him to enter. Legolas went, dropping into the chair beside his father's.

"Peaceful watch?" Arbellason asked, filling a cup with wine and holding it out to him him.

Legolas took it with a nod of acknowledgement. "We came across some spiders. We dealt with them. I have sent some archers to find out if there are more." He turned to his father. "You look troubled. Is something wrong?"

Thranduil reached out to run a hand over his head. "Nothing can be wrong while you are safe, Legolas."

What did you think? Good? Bad? Please review!