Thranduil ran through the forest. He stopped when he could no longer see the lights of the party, he breathed deeply and looked at his shaking hands. He turned to the tree next to him and slowly brought his hand to it. When there was only an inch of space, ice shot out of his fingertips and scattered across the bark. Thranduil gasped and backed away, watching as the ice crawled slowly up the tree. He fisted his hands in his clothing, but ice shot through the fabric and tore it. "This is not happening" Thranduil growled to himself. He grabbed his destroyed robes and tore off strips, wrapping them around his palms and fingers to create gloves. Once he was finished, his clothes were nothing but rags. With one last look over his shoulder, he continued his journey out of the forest.
(Spring)(Summer)(Fall)(Winter)
Legolas rode his horse through the forest. The Black Snow was falling more heavily, coating the ground with large black flakes. It had only been a short while and the ground was already covered in two inches of snow. "Ada!" Legolas called out. He continued to ride until he came to a tree covered in ice. Legolas got off his horse and examined the tree. When he looked down he found shreds of his father's robes, the edges had a thin layer of ice on them; he quickly mounted his horse and sped off.
(Spring)(Summer)(Fall)(Winter)
Thranduil quickly made it out of the forest and to the edge of the land. He came to a small doc where a barge was tied up, Elven barrels were being pushed onto it by a man. The man looked up at Thranduil and froze, his hands twitching to the bow on his back.
"Who are you?" The man asked.
"I-I mean you no harm." Thranduil said.
The man's eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"I am not armed" Thranduil raised his hands to show they were empty.
The man relaxed slightly and examined the Elf in front of him. He took in Thranduil's torn clothes and his wrapped hands. "You want a ride?"
"I would be most appreciative if you would do that. I don't have any money, but I will find a way to pay you."
The man contemplated the offer, "The Master doesn't like outsiders. I don't know what happened to you, but I can tell it wasn't good."
"Will you help me?" Thranduil asked.
The man smiled, "Yeah, but you're going to have to hide."
Thranduil smiled, "I thank you Bargeman." He carefully got on the barge and sat on the floor.
"My name is Bard" The man said as he untied the barge and pushed off the doc.
"Thran" Thranduil said after some hesitation.
Bard nodded and tossed a blanket at Thranduil. "Cover yourself with that. You will have to hide when we get to Lake-town. After we get in, you will follow me to my house, but you have to stay well behind me. The Master has me watched, my family will get in trouble if anyone sees you with me."
Thranduil nodded, "I understand Bard. Thank you for helping me." He took the blanket and folded it so that it would drape over him like a cloak.
When they got to Lake-town Thranduil surrounded himself with the barrels, hiding as a disgusting looking man came to inspect the barge. When Bard was able to get the man – Alfrid was his name – off his barge and through the gates, they made their way to another doc. Bard payed another man – Percy – to keep quiet about Thranduil's arrival. As instructed, Thranduil kept some distance between himself and Bard as the bargeman made his way through Lake-town. While walking, Thranduil could see how many men's eyes would follow Bard's movements. He assumed these were the Master's spies that Bard had told him about. When Bard reached his house, he greeted two men fishing outside of it, telling them that he was done for the day so that they could report back to the Master. Thranduil decided not to follow Bard through the front door and be seen, instead he jumped onto the roof and slid easily through an open window at the back of the house.
"Who are you?!" A young woman shrieked. Thranduil looked to see two girls and a boy staring at him in shock. The boy had his sword drawn, standing protectively in front of the two girls.
"Bain, it's okay." Bard quickly placed himself in between Thranduil and the others. "He's with me."
"Who is he?" Bain asked.
"He is someone I just met. He wanted a ride and I gave him one." Bard explained.
"You just gave him a ride, without knowing anything about him?" The oldest girl asked.
Bard smiled a little and shrugged. He turned to Thranduil and gestured to the three behind him. "Thran, meet my children. Sigrid, my eldest; Bain, my second; and Tilda, my youngest."
Thranduil hesitated before taking off his make-shift cloak, the children gasped as his features were revealed. "Hello, my name is Thran"
Tilda smiled brightly and ran up to Thranduil, "You're so pretty!"
Thranduil smiled warmly, "Thank you Miss Tilda, you are very pretty too."
"Y-you-you're an Elf" Bain stuttered.
"I am" Thranduil nodded.
"What are you doing here?" He asked.
"Bain" Bard scolded quietly.
"It's alright" Thranduil assured, "I am here because I am not welcome at home anymore. I frightened people, so I thought it best to leave."
"Do you have a place to go?" Sigrid asked.
"No, I am merely traveling until I find somewhere to stay. Your father was gracious enough to give me a ride here. I will not take up too much of your time."
"Nonsense" Sigrid waved him off, "You will stay here with us."
Bard and Thranduil looked at her in shock. "Sigrid, may I talk to you?" Bard hissed before dragging his eldest outside.
"What gave you the idea to invite him to stay? Didn't you just scold me for bringing him here before getting to know him?" Bard asked.
"That was before I saw the state of him. Just look at him Da, he's obviously had a hard time. He's wearing rags Da, rags! Have you ever seen an Elf wearing rags?" She asked.
"That doesn't mean we have to house him. We can barely feed ourselves." Bard argued.
Sigrid gave him a hard look, "Was it not you who taught us that it is right to help people? Would you really send this man away?"
Bard sighed, knowing his daughter was right. "Alright, but he can't be seen. If word gets to the Master we are all doomed."
Sigrid smiled and hugged Bard. "Thanks Da"
(Spring)(Summer)(Fall)(Winter)
Legolas could see the edge of the forest. He urged his horse forward, he could only hope his father was waiting outside. A shrill shriek startled his horse, it reared back making Legolas stumble to the ground. Before he could register the horse's retreating figure, the owner of the shriek crawled down from a tree. All at once, several spiders had surrounded him. Legolas quickly took out his bow and readied an arrow. With another shriek, a spider pounced and the small fight began. Legolas was an excellent fighter and bowman but he was severely outnumbered, he didn't see the spider behind him until he heard its pained cry. Legolas turned to find a man standing on top of the spider with his sword in its head. The man appeared to be human, long dark hair and a strong build. His clothes were worn but sturdy and, like Legolas, he carried both a sword and a bow. Together, they made quick work of the rest of the spiders; running out of the forest before more could come.
"Who are you?" Legolas asked once they reached the lake.
"My name is Aragorn, I am a Ranger." The man replied.
"Aragorn? Are you Arathorn's son?"
"Indeed I am."
"My father speaks highly of yours. He said he was a good man."
"That is high praise coming from your father." Aragorn joked and Legolas grinned.
"Thank you for saving me." Legolas bowed.
"You're welcome. Those spiders are dangerous, I am surprised the Prince of Mirkwood would be out here alone."
Legolas frowned, "My father has fled. I am trying to find him."
"Fled?"
"Indeed, he apparently has powers that I had not known about before. They got out of control when a guest at our Festival insulted him and my Mother's memory. Then the Black Snow fell, it's unlike anything I have ever seen."
"The King must have cursed this land then." Aragorn replied.
Legolas glared at the Ranger. "He was afraid. He didn't mean to do this."
Aragorn held his hands up in peace, "I was not accusing him of doing it on purpose. I was merely pointing it out."
Legolas sighed and looked back at the forest longingly, "I need to find my father. He can undo this, I just need to find him."
"Then allow me to accompany you. I know this area very well." Aragorn said.
Legolas studied the man in front of him, looking like he was about to decline the offer, but eventually nodded. "Thank you. You will be paid for your services."
Aragorn chuckled, "No need to repay me. What are friends for if not for helping each other?" He sheathed his sword and started walking away.
Legolas stared after him in confusion.