Disclaimer: Those you recognize belong to Tolkien. I do not own them. Those you do not recognize belong to me.

Summary: Gaining the friendship of a mortal child was not something Thranduil expected on his trip to Imladris with his son. But when secret plots result in grave consequences, the boy may be the king's one hope of survival.

Author's Note: I'm thrilled with the response this story has gotten so far! I'm just thinking back to the small idea this started out as and how much the story has grown since. On that note, I take back my chapter one author's note. This will be more than four chapters now, probably either six or seven depending on how things pan out. Anyway, Huge hannon le out to EmpressHimiko, The Pearl Maiden, Joshua Nenya, Elven Warrior Princess, Gwedhiel0117, and doreenthashot for your reviews! Aragorn appreciates all the hugs and love he's been shown, lol! Poor little guy needed it after that last chapter. And on that note, let's see how he and Thwan'dil are faring, shall we? Once again, absolutely no slash between any of the characters. Read, review, but no flames please. Enjoy!

Elvish:

penneth– young one
ada– father
hannon le– thank you
mellon-nín– my friend

Chapter 3

Elrond dipped a cloth in the bowl of cold water sitting on the low table beside the bed, wringing it out before dabbing the pale, sweat-drenched face of its golden-haired occupant and resting it lightly on his burning forehead. Thranduil had not stirred since he had been brought into the healing ward, and Elrond feared for the king's life if he could not discover the source of what was afflicting him.

"Poison? I do not understand," Legolas muttered from where he sat on the bed beside Thranduil, his blue eyes filled with worry. "What reason would someone have to poison my father?"

Elrohir glanced up from where he was preparing some fever reducing herbs and athelas, his gaze lingering on his father nervously. Elrond sighed as he slowly shook his head, a hint of concern flickering in his gaze. "I know not, penneth," he replied, brushing a few loose strands of his dark hair back from his face as he gazed at his ailing friend intently. "Though I must know its cause if I am to counteract its effects."

If I am not too late already...

But Elrond refused to accept that dreaded thought. He would discover the cause.

Recalling how Estel had mentioned Thranduil had experienced stomach pain, the Elf lord set his hand on the king's abdomen and lightly applied pressure, attempting to find where the affected area was. A quiet gasp of pain escaped from the Mirkwood monarch, and Legolas moved closer to his ailing father and took his ringed hand securely in his when clear distress appeared in his sallow features. The prince reached his other hand out and brushed some fair strands of hair back from Thranduil's sweat-drenched face, concerned by his quickened breathing.

"I am here, Ada."

"Legolas, has your father eaten anything other than when we rested for lunch?" Elrond asked, moving his gray eyes to the younger Elf. He had eaten the same meal as the king, and since he did not suffer from the same symptoms, he was confident the soup, bread, and wine they had was not the source. From what he could gather from where the Mirkwood monarch appeared to feel the greatest amount of pain, the poison had entered his system more recently.

"Not... not that I am aware of," Legolas answered, meeting Elrond's gaze as he continued to run his hand through Thranduil's hair in a calming motion. "I was with Elladan and Elrohir after lunch. Estel went to see my father, and he was with him more than I."

Elrond sighed, glancing out into the hallway where Elladan was sitting with Estel curled on his lap. The child was wrapped in his own cloak now, and though his tears had stopped some time ago, the fear still lingered in his eyes. The Elf lord had suggested his young faster son take some rest, but the boy was adamant in hearing some news of his newfound friend.

Then, his attention moved to the younger twin when Elrohir approached, handing him the small bowl of herbs. "Here, Ada."

The Elf lord swiftly sat on the bed across from Legolas, gently lifting Thranduil's head before bringing the bowl to his lips to coax him to drink. At first, the king unconsciously choked on the semi-sweet liquid, and the prince turned to the healer nervously. However, Elrond continued with patience and a steady hand gained from countless years of experience, waiting until Thranduil swallowed the rest of it before taking the bowl back and carefully resting his head back down.

"This should help to soothe the fever's effects," he muttered, rising to his feet and setting the bowl on the table beside the water. "As well as provide some temporary relief."

Legolas nodded, turning his attention back to his father, who was once again lying still while his breathing, though not as quick, was as shallow and irregular as it had been before. His gaze faltered slightly as he studied Thranduil's pale, empty face. There had been many times he could recall where he had returned home with some injury the king would tend to, but never had he envisioned he would be sitting at his father's bedside, merely able to watch as some ill tormented him while another fought for his life. His father was the strong, proud king of Mirkwood. This affliction did not suit him. Not the one who selflessly cared for him in his times of need.

Not his father.

The prince tightened his hand around Thranduil's. "Hold on, Ada..."

Elrohir watched Legolas sadly before he approached Elrond. "Mayhap we should speak with Estel?" he suggested in a whisper. "There is a chance he could provide some insight. You know this, Ada."

Elrond sighed, hesitance crossing his features as he lowered his gaze. "The child is still frightened," he replied just as quietly. "He could not give us clear answers."

The younger twin reached out and set his hand on his father's arm, waiting until Elrond met his gaze before he continued. "What other chance does Thranduil have?"

The Elf lord gazed into Elrohir's intense gray eyes for a long moment before looking away again, unable to argue his point. His gaze landed on Legolas as he watched over his father before looking out at his eldest son and the mortal child sitting in the hallway together. Elrohir was correct.

What other chance did Thranduil have?

Estel focused on fidgeting with the corner of his cloak, his eyes narrowed slightly in concentration. His gaze then moved up to his older brother's face, seeing it was impassive as his intense gray eyes rested on the room across from them as its occupants worked to heal the slowly dying king. By their grave expressions, it was not going well. Whimpering quietly, the child clutched Elladan's deep blue tunic.

"What is the matter, Estel?" the older twin asked, placing his hand comfortingly on top of his head.

"Is Thwan'dil gonna be awl right, Ewwadan?" Estel wondered quietly, worry on his face.

Elladan's gaze faltered as he sighed, uncertain of what to say. From what he could hear from his father and brother, Thranduil was truly suffering from some sort of poison, and time was running out to find its source. Fortunately, he was spared from answering when near silent footsteps approached, and he and Estel both watched as Glorfindel came around the corner. In his hand was a glass of water.

"This was given to your father earlier," the golden-haired warrior explained with a small smile as he passed them. "I suspect he would appreciate it now."

Elladan returned the smile as Glorfindel entered the room, gazing on the Mirkwood king with concern before he offered Elrond the glass. Estel watched them for a moment as they talked together in quiet tones, but then his gray eyes widened slightly when his foster father reached out and took it.

The fair-haired cook handed Thranduil a glass of water. The king took a small sip, looking at the glass curiously. Thranduil set the empty glass on the table...

Estel gasped quietly when he saw Elrond slowly begin to bring the glass to his lips as he turned back to Thranduil. He pushed himself out of Elladan's hold and ran across the hall as quickly as he could before he entered the room.

"Estel!" Elladan shouted after him, but his call went unheeded. He rose to his feet, hurrying after his younger brother.

"Ada, don't dwink it!" Estel said anxiously, reaching out toward the Elf lord as he approached him and Glorfindel.

Elrond lowered his arm, looking at Estel with surprise while Legolas and Elrohir turned to him curiously. Since he had caught his foster father off guard, the child managed to snatch the glass from his hand, raising it above his head as he prepared to throw it on the floor. However, Elrond quickly reached out and immediately took it back to prevent it from being smashed, narrowing his eyes down on the boy.

"What is the meaning of this, Estel?" he demanded, taken aback by his disruptive behavior. The child he was raising knew better.

However, Estel was not dissuaded as he stood on his toes and reached out for the glass in Elrond's hand again, though it was kept out of range of his small, grasping fingers. "Don't dwink it, Ada!" he repeated urgently, meeting the lord of Imladris' stern gaze. "It's bad!"

"Bad?" Elrond's anger slowly turned to confusion as he looked down at the glass he held.

"Aye, Ada!" Estel told him, ignoring the wondering looks he was receiving from his brothers, Glorfindel, and Legolas. "Thwan'dil dwank one eawlier and got sick!"

Glorfindel's eyes narrowed as he looked down at the seemingly harmless glass of water in the other Elf lord's hand. Elrond quickly brought the glass closer, studying the contents carefully for a long moment before his eyes widened slightly. He quickly handed it to Glorfindel before kneeling in front of Estel, pulling him onto his lap when the child moved into his embrace.

"I need you to tell me what happened, Estel," Elrond muttered, brushing back some of the boy's unruly hair. "Were you there when Thranduil was given a glass of water?" When his foster son nodded, he continued. "When? Try to remember, penneth."

"Um..." Estel bit his lip, looking up when Elladan, Elrohir, and Legolas gathered around them. "Befowe we went for a howse ride. You wewe taking a bweak fwom your dew... dewib..."

Elrond glanced up at Glorfindel as Estel continued to figure out the word for the meeting he and Thranduil had been involved with for the past few days. "Around the time Aeglironion gave me the glass," he muttered when the golden-haired warrior looked up from the water in his hand. He then turned back to his foster son, setting his hand on top of his head to stop his mumblings. "What color hair did the cook who gave Thranduil his water have?" Aeglironion had been an occupant of his house for many years, ever since he had arrived from his previous home, and served as one of their realm's most respected cooks. Now, however, it appeared as though he was responsible for the poisoning of the Mirkwood king, and almost him as well.

Estel cast his gray eyes up to Glorfindel. "Like Gwowfy's," he said.

Sighing, Elrond quickly kissed Estel's forehead. "Hannon le, Estel," he whispered, setting the child on the floor before he swiftly rose to his feet and turned to the other Elves in the room with them. "Elrohir, check the room where Thranduil and I held our negotiations. I want the glass he was given. Then search the kitchens for anything Aeglironion could have used to prepare his poison. We must find him. I want him detained. Legolas, you also."

The prince appeared ready to protest, but Elrond's eyes narrowed slightly, offering no room for argument. The Elf lord did not like taking him from Thranduil's side when he was in such critical condition, but he could feel the nearly overwhelming worry in the younger Elf, and for his own sake, he needed to be occupied with something that would aid the ailing king. With one last fearful glance at his father and hesitant look at Elrond, Legolas followed the younger twin out of the room and out of sight.

Elrond then turned back to Glorfindel, who quickly brought the water to his eyes to inspect it before he nodded once. "Tainted," he muttered in confirmation. Venom laced the twice-born warrior's tone, reflecting his disbelief that someone else they had trusted could be capable of treachery.

The other Elf lord sighed as his gaze rested on the still Thranduil, grateful that he at least had a better sense of when the king had been poisoned as well as the source so he could create an antidote. But what he did not understand was what reason Aeglironion would have for attempting to murder both him and the Mirkwood king. He desperately attempted to recall all he knew of the fair-haired cook, though for the life of him, he could not think of anything that would explain his traitorous actions.

Then, Elrond quickly turned to the open door while Glorfindel and Elladan did the same when he felt a new presence. Erestor was leaning against the doorframe, but something was wrong. He was nearly doubled over and held up only by the doorway he was slumped against, his face had lost nearly all of its color, and his hand was pressed firmly against his left side. "I... I found A-Amonost... Elrond..."

The lord of Imladris took a step toward him, his eyes widening in horror when his chief advisor's legs gave out from underneath him as he began to collapse. Glorfindel pressed the poisoned water into Elladan's hands before he rushed forward, catching Erestor's slender frame in his arms before he could hit the floor. The twice-born warrior cradled him close when he saw the dark-haired Elf's eyes were closed tightly and felt that he was trembling slightly, presumably from shock.

"Ewestor!" Estel cried fearfully from where he stood beside his foster father, kept in place by the Elf lord's firm hand on his shoulder.

"Remove your hand, mellon-nín," Glorfindel whispered urgently, noticing what he instantly knew was blood on the stern advisor's fingers. He lightly set a hand on Erestor's head, feeling that his skin was clammy. Though applying pressure to the wound was wise, his healing instincts needed to gauge how serious the laceration was.

However, Erestor shook his head despite the pain that crossed his pale features. "Amonost is... pr-preparing to flee," he replied between his gasps for air, slowly opening his eyes, which were a little too bright, and looking up at the other Elf anxiously. His hand weakly grasped onto Glorfindel's light tunic. "Do not... w-worry for me... Go... now..."

Fury flared in Glorfindel's eyes as he quickly looked up at Elladan, who nodded in understanding before he set the glass of water on the small table beside Thranduil's bed and hurried out of the room to detain the guard in question. The golden-haired warrior then effortlessly stood with Erestor in his arms and gently set him down in the cushioned chair under the window, his gaze saddening when the chief advisor cringed and attempted to restrain a pained sound at the movement. Glorfindel reached out and wrapped his hand securely around his, earning a feeble smile from Erestor as his slightly shaking fingers tightened around his in return when he met the twice-born warrior's gaze and saw the clear outrage in his intense blue orbs. The Balrog Slayer waited until Elrond was beside him before he released Erestor's hand and rushed out of the room himself, drawing his sword as he hurried after Elladan to find Amonost.

"What happened?" the lord of Imladris asked anxiously, kneeling before his chief advisor as he took his thin wrist and carefully tried to pull his hand away from his side.

Erestor resisted for a moment, but Elrond was relentless, and he let out a shaky breath as he allowed the other Elf to remove his hand. Elrond's eyes narrowed with concern when he saw the crimson staining his dark tunic, unsure of what he would find underneath it. "Amonost had... a hi-hidden dagger..." Erestor explained as the Elf lord moved his gray eyes to his dark ones. "He became... s-suspicious when I told him... you wished to speak wi-with him, and he... stabbed me before he... he fled..."

Estel watched his lithe friend for a moment with fearful tears forming in his eyes before he turned to the bed Thranduil was lying in. Poisoned water, deceitful cooks, and traitorous guards. It was too much for his mind to wrap around. A couple tears rolled down his cheeks as he struggled a little to climb up onto the bed and crawled over to Thranduil, wanting to check on him. The flush that had once tinted his friend's cheeks had lightened, and he was not quite so pale.

But when he reached out and touched the king's forehead, Estel gasped when the golden-haired Elf began to stir. "Ada!" he shouted. "Ada!"

Elrond quickly turned away from where he was preparing bandages to the bed, hearing the quiet groan that escaped from Thranduil's throat as he moved toward consciousness. Once he got a determined nod from Erestor, he picked Estel up and set him aside before sitting beside the king in his place. The Elf lord placed a calming hand on the monarch's arm when distress crossed his fair but often stern features as the child crawled closer to his foster father, watching as they were both rewarded with a pair of weary blue eyes.

"Calm yourself, mellon-nín," Elrond murmured, as Thranduil looked around the room with confusion. He was relieved to see the fever reducing herbs and athelas were having some effect, but he knew they would not be enough to completely counteract the poison wreaking havoc in his body. He prayed Elrohir and Legolas were able to find something in the kitchens, for the little herb that was diluted in his glass of water would not be enough to work with. "You are safe. My son will return soon, and I will be able to prepare an antidote that will aid you. For now, you must rest."

Thranduil's gaze passed over Estel before his eyes landed on Elrond, the confusion still lingering in them. "Le... Legolas..." Then, he winced slightly, one of his ringed hands moving down to his stomach. Elrond quickly stood and immediately began preparing some pain reducing herbs.

"Legowas wiwl come back, Thwan'dil," Estel assured him. "Soon. I pwomise."

For a moment, Thranduil appeared to be appeased by the child's words as he closed his eyes with a quiet sigh. But to Estel's surprise, they quickly opened again, and the king's brow furrowed slightly as he began to push himself up on his arm, the little color that had returned to his face quickly leaving it. "No... Legolas..."

Panicked, Estel reached his small hands out and set them on Thranduil's other arm in attempt to keep him from sitting up. "No, stay stiwl, Thwan'dil!"

Elrond quickly turned around once more, setting the small bowl down before he sat beside his foster son. "Take it easy," he cautioned, his hand on his shoulder causing the king to pause. "The poison still ails you, Thranduil. You must rest."

Thranduil met the Elf lord's gaze, and Elrond was surprised to see the anxious look in his weary eyes. "Legolas," he muttered. "Where is he?"

"Is Legowas in twoubwe?" Estel asked his foster father nervously.

"He and Elrohir are in the kitchens searching for what I need for the antidote to the poison that ails you," Elrond explained, noticing the king was a bit delirious as he placed his free hand lightly on Estel's arm to quiet him. "They will return shortly. Now, you must–!"

But Thranduil shook his head, catching the lord of Imladris off guard. "I must... find him..." He started trying to push himself up again, his hand reaching for the sword that was usually on his hip, but Elrond gently, though firmly, lowered him back to the pillow.

"Legolas is with Elrohir," the Elf lord attempted to reason with him, his stern gaze ensuring the king would not attempt to stand again. "He is in no danger, mellon-nín."

Estel watched the two Elves for a moment longer before he jumped to the floor, greatly concerned for the prince. What had Thranduil so worried? He moved his gray eyes to Erestor, who was also watching the scene before him with intense dark eyes, his hand once again over his left side protectively. Feeling the child's eyes on him, the chief advisor held his other arm out, and Estel immediately climbed up onto Erestor's knee and leaned against his uninjured side while the Elf's arm wrapped securely around him.

Once he was certain Thranduil would not attempt to leave the bed again, Elrond reached over to the small table and picked up the bowl containing the pain reducing herbs he had prepared. "Here," he said quietly, moving it closer to the king.

Thranduil eyed it warily before he took the bowl in his own hand and sat up a little, taking a cautious sip. Under the Elf lord's intense gaze, he finished it without complaint and handed it back once it was empty. Satisfied, Elrond set it back on the table before turning his attention back to the king.

"Rest now," he told him, authority in his tone.

Unable to argue, Thranduil settled back against his pillow with a sigh, concern still clear in his gaze. Elrond's eyes narrowed slightly as he watched the king until he fell into a light, restless sleep before he slowly stood and made his way back to where Estel was sitting with Erestor. Whether the king's worry for his son was simply due to the poison in his system or not, a feeling of dread had once again settled on the Elf lord's heart, one that he could not shake as a dreaded thought crossed his mind.

Had he put Legolas and his own son in danger?

"It was fortunate you were able to secure that glass, Elrohir."

The younger twin smirked at the prince as they hurried down the hallway toward the kitchens. He and Legolas had reached the room where Elrond and Thranduil had been holding their negotiations for the past few days just as a cook was about to take the glass to wash. "I feel it would be safe to say it was my charm," Elrohir replied, his eyes gleaming.

Legolas chuckled quietly as they made their way down a flight of steps. "She did seem rather fond of you," he agreed.

Elrohir's smirk broadened. "I see no reason why she would not be." But then, the cheerful look waned when he noticed the worry that lingered in the fair-haired Elf's gaze. He sighed, setting his hand on Legolas' arm to pause him once they reached the bottom of the staircase. "Are you all right?"

"Aye," Legolas murmured, though his tone lacked conviction as he was unable to meet the younger twin's concerned gaze. "It is... difficult for me to see my father in this way, Elrohir. He is always so strong. He is the one who always cared for me, and now I am unable to do the same for him."

Elrohir tightened his hold on the prince's arm. "Your father will recover," he told him firmly. "My father's skills are unrivaled. There is no finer healer in all of Arda. And you are aiding him, mellon-nín. When we bring traces of the herb to Ada, he will be able to create the antidote. And Aeglironion and Amonost will be detained and punished for their treachery."

Legolas nodded once, attempting to give his friend a small smile. Then, he sighed as he set his hand on Elrohir's arm as well. "Hannon le."

The kitchens were dark and quiet when Elrohir and Legolas entered through the high, double doors. They made their way past the tables to where the food was prepared, glancing around at the cupboards lit by the moonlight filtering in through the many-paned windows.

"From what I am able to discern, we are searching for a finely cut, deep green herb," the younger twin muttered, looking at the minute remaining contents of the glass of water that had been given to Thranduil. "I assume Aeglironion would keep the herb itself with him in case there is need of it, though we may be able to find a trace of it in a bowl he may have prepared the poison in or on the counters."

"I will search this side," Legolas said, crossing the room to begin scouring through the cupboards. The sooner he could find some evidence, the sooner he could aid his father.

Elrohir walked away from the tables, beginning to scan the countertops for any trace of possible herbs that could have been left behind. He sighed quietly in defeat when he saw they had been wiped clean over the course of the day. Aeglironion was clever. Listening as Legolas continued to sift through the cupboards to inspect the bowls, the younger twin turned to a table nearby that was also used for preparing food and wandered over, not expecting to spot anything there.

But then, he bent down a little when something caught his eye. He gasped quietly when he noticed some fine grains of a deep green herb, nearly blending in with the wood. The fair-haired cook was not as shrewd as he had initially believed. His heart lightening, Elrohir quickly pulled a small bowl off the counter, carefully brushing the particles into it before dusting his fingers off on his dark tunic. Hopefully, they now had what they needed for Elrond to create an antidote for Thranduil.

"Legolas, I believe I found..." But the dark-haired Elf's sentence slowly trailed off when he no longer heard his friend searching through the cupboards. In his thrill of finding possible traces of the poison, he hadn't noticed the almost eerie silence that had fallen over the kitchen. "Legolas?"

"Is this what you are searching for, penneth?"

Elrohir quickly turned around, surprised by the unexpected voice, and his gray eyes widened when he saw Aeglironion leaning against a nearby table, a smirk on his fair face and a cruel glint in his light eyes. In one hand was a vial containing the deep green herb he had used to poison the Mirkwood king.

The younger twin angrily took a step toward him, but the fair-haired cook held up his other hand. "I would stay where you are if I were you," he cautioned.

"What..." Elrohir stopped when more movement caught his eye, and horror crossed his fair features as Amonost stepped out of the shadows near Aeglironion. In one hand he tightly grasped Legolas' arm, and with the other he held his dagger blade lightly across the prince's throat.

Author's Note: Nope. The cliffhangers are not going away. And I figured Legolas needed some love here, lol! Aragorn's such a trooper though, isn't he? After what the poor little guy went through in the last chapter, I figured he could use a pretty big moment. So, now we know that Aeglironion and Amonost poisoned Thranduil with the water, and Elrond was also a target. But the why is what we have yet to find out. Thanks for reading! Your reviews are much appreciated. Thanks!