I have news. Don't laugh, but I have just figured out how to turn on anonymous reviews.
I said don't laugh!
*Stamps foot*
When Thranduil discovered them gone, it was already too late for him to do anything about it.
When the healer came to Thranduil about the news of legolas's awakening Doron and said patient were already out of the caves, tucked securely into empty flour barrels.
And when the King found out his eldest's deception and set out search parties to bring him back said eldest and his charge were out of his reach forever.
Thranduil raged for days. But it was too late.
They were gone.
He had lost them.
XXX
At first Legolas didn't respond to anything Doron did, even when they reached the hidden Talan that would be their home for the foreseeable future. The healer had warned him of this, saying that Legolas would need time to become used to the fact he was no longer prisoner in the dark tower.
At first Doron was patient, hiding his despair as he fed his cationic brother soup and gently wiping it away as it dribbled out. He stalwartly changed Legolas's soiled bedding and rinsed them in the small stream running through their clearing, chatting cheerfully all the while, waiting for the day Legolas would respond.
But the child did nothing, just staring at the wall or at the forest if Doron thought he needed a change in scenery. Eventually Doron despaired in getting a response from his brother, the constant silence grating on his nerves.
And then one day as he tried to feed his brother Doron broke down, flinging the utensils out the window and shouting at nobody, at everybody. At last he calmed down enough to take notice of his surroundings once more, and what he discovered nearly broke his heart.
Legolas stood before him sucking his little thumb, eyes dark with fear. Very slowly a silver tear traced its way down one smooth cheek.
Very hesitantly in a voice heavily accented with the dark speech Legolas whispered. "Doron?"
And without a word Doron gathered the child into his arms, their tears mingling although not once did they utter a sound.
From then on life got steadily brighter.
TBC
I had difficulty writing this chapter in any great depth so this is what I ended up with.