Galaden had just finished checking and bandaging Aradan's wound. "You can start walking around slowly, Aradan. But do take care, you might find it difficult at first. You can't use your hand much though. Give it sometime before you start using sword. It won't take long."
Aradan nodded as Galaden helped him to sit upright on the bed. "Do you know how Erienne is, Galaden? She was pretty upset. She refused to come and see me when I was conscious. Though I asked Thranduil to ask her to."
Galaden was careful not to look up at Aradan as he answered, "Do not begrudge her, Aradan. Twas not her fault."
"I know she must have been busy with Lord Elrond's and Lady Galadriel's arrival and all." Aradan's sulky look showed how understanding he was of the situation.
"I guess she was," Galaden nodded, his non-committal response catching Aradan's attention.
"Don't bother trying to hide matters from me, Galaden. You are not good at it. What happened?"
"Erienne was here with you, Aradan. She was the one taking care of you at night. Thranduil insisted on it. That either she or I had to be here with you. I had to go to the infirmary at night so she stayed here."
Aradan nodded. Galaden was not answering his question.
"What happened, Galaden?" Getting agitated, Aradan sat up sharply on the bed, only to have a sharp pain shooting through his shoulder.
"Aradan!" Galaden's rebuke was sharp before mellowing down as he realised the pain that Aradan must be feeling.
"Do be careful, Aradan. I know how painful it can be," Galaden's voice was softer as he gently rubbed down Aradan's shoulder before sitting down on the stool.
"Erienne was here with you whenever you were asleep. But she left whenever you were awake. She could not bear to see you in pain. That's why Thranduil took over for helping you to wash and eat. And.."
"What is it, Galaden?" Aradan asked, his face frowning.
"Erienne was very upset about your injury. You know that. So was Legolas. He sort of blames himself. Aradan's face frowned in protest though he did not interrupt Galaden. "Anyway, he was upset and confiding in Tauriel.."
"Oh…" Slight understanding dawned on Aradan's face as he knew that Tauriel would still have placed some blame on Thranduil.
"You can guess her reaction. 'Tis not that she did not care for your injury but she saw it as favouring you when .. when we did not help the dwarves.."
Aradan's groan was more pronounced. "She did not say this in front of Thranduil or Erienne, did she?"
Galaden gave a wry grin, "Erienne. 'Twas Erienne who heard her though I suspect Thranduil did as well. Just that Thranduil could not be bothered to answer her anymore whereas Erienne was already upset and hearing Tauriel did not help."
"Tauriel brought up the whole issue of Thranduil's words about lowly Silvans..and .. how Thranduil did not care for them."
"And it set Erienne off," Aradan finished. He did not have to ask what Erienne would have said.
"Thranduil was not upset, was he?"
"As I said, he could not be bothered about Tauriel's words but upset? Aradan, at least Erienne has cried it out. Thranduil has been keeping everything inside but I can sense he is upset, even afraid. Do talk to him. He has been going on late-night rounds with Airion and sometimes, Erienne. I think he has learnt something from the Orc."
A knock on the door interrupted their conversation as Airion entered carrying two trays of food. Setting the trays down, he bowed to Aradan. "Commander, I hope you are feeling better. All is in order at the borders. The soldiers are patrolling as per your instructions though I have added one more round of soldiers. Our lord is on his way up now. He meets every morning and evening for updates. The soldiers are keeping up with their war exercises and as per your orders, we have finished making the first stocks of arrows and pouches of poison"
Aradan listened intently to Airion's updates and then questioned his deputy, "What of the Orc that we captured? Did you get any information from him, Airion?"
This time, Airion hesitated earning a frown from his Commander. "Commander," Airion finally said, "our lord has informed us that he will speak with you. Till he orders it, none of us are to speak to you about it."
Before any of them in the room could speak, Thranduil entered. He nodded to Airion, paused and told him to return to his soldiers. Obediently, Airion nodded bowed to his King and Commander and left.
Aradan and Galaden looked expectantly at Thranduil but he ignored their looks and went to the window and merely stood there, looking out in silence.
"My lord, has anything happened? You appear troubled." By now, panic was gripping Aradan. Something was definitely bothering Thranduil. He appeared tired and disturbed.
"Thranduil, are you upset over Erienne's words? I mean, Galaden informed me. She did not mean them. Not that way."
"I am sorry, Thranduil." Aradan looked at his King this time, more pleadingly, "Please, my lord. Tell me what is bothering you. You look tired. The Orc.. did it confess anything? Airion told me that that I ought not to know. Those were your orders. Why?"
As Thranduil sat at the edge of Aradan's bed, he interlocked his fingers, placing them over his mouth. "Will you do as per my command, Aradan?"
"Why, of course, Thranduil. What do you wish?"
Thranduil stood up and looked at his Commander.
"Leave the Woodlands, Aradan. Airion will take over your duties. As of today, you are no longer Commander of Mirkwood."
"I have arranged for your travels. Go to Elrond. He has agreed to take you. You will leave with him. Spend some time resting there."
As Aradan sat stricken, Thranduil stood up and reached for his food. Taking it to the window, he started eating it, shoving mouthfuls in as he stood staring out. Kings did not cry.