Thanks to all of you still reading and especially those who have favourited my, not so little, story. Its much appreciated. :) (I hope it is not dragging on too much)

I bow down to those of you who have reviewed or sent me a message. I seem to be either making you angry or weepy, or both! It seems wrong to be glad that I'm doing this but I'm funny that way ;) Hehehe!

ILVB- So may questions, so few answers, but I'm glad you're still with me and the coffee and cake keep me going. What would I do without you, crazy girl? :)

Anyway, on with the angst. I hope you enjoy and please,please,please, let me know what you think. *Posts and runs away to hide*

Chapter 27

Estel awakens slowly, confusion blurring his mind and sleep his vision. For a while he lays, watching the white shapes by the window gently sway in and out which resolve into gauze curtains moved by the light breeze he can feel coming through the open aperture. Something is tugging at the mist over his thoughts but the hypnotic ebb and flow of the drapes almost manages to lull him back to sleep until his eyes are drawn to his bow, propped up in the corner of the room and suddenly everything comes flooding back and he is wide awake and scrambling out of bed.

"Legolas." One word, one name slips from his lips in a whisper.

Frantically pulling on the clothes he has no recollection of removing his heart races, there must be something they can do to right this, finally dressed he rushes to the door, he must find his friend, they have faced much together in the past, they will face this together now. Leaving his room he crosses the corridor to the one the prince uses on his frequent visits to Imladris and knocks on the door before, without waiting for an answer, pushing it open and walking through to stand, staring round at the emptiness within.

There is no sign of the young archer, in fact, no sign that he has ever been here. The bed has obviously not been slept in and the room appears cold and unwelcoming without his presence, a chill runs down the young mans spine. Sending a prayer to the Valar Estel rushes out of the room and heads towards the dining hall, hoping against hope that he will find the errant elf at breakfast, and wishing that he had not heeded his father last night when he suggested Legolas would benefit from some time alone to come to terms with all that has happened.

Once the archer had left them, discussions continued far into the night. Elrond had persuaded Estel to stay and once caught up in the plans being made by his father and siblings had tarried until he became so tired that eventually the twins almost had to carry him to his room and all thoughts of checking in on the young elf opposite had fled from his mind. Cursing himself for his folly he races down the stairs, taking two at a time in his haste, nearly tripping over his own feet as he reaches the bottom step and almost slides across the corridor to the dining halls entrance on a thick, ornamental rug as it shifts under foot.

Running in, he quickly scans the room for the one he seeks and his heart plummets when he realises that the elf is not there. This does not bode well and he quickly moves over to the table where his father and siblings are seated.

"Has Legolas breakfasted already?" he asks without preamble, the worried tone of his voice making them look up in concern.

" Nay," the lord replies shaking his head, "I felt he must still be asleep after the stress of yester eve, is he not in his room?"

The young man groans.

"He is not, nor has his bed been slept in," panic is beginning to rise in his chest. " I knew we should have told him of our plans last night ada!" Anger begins to replace panic. "You should have let me go to him when I wanted to!"

He turns to leave but stops mid stride as he hears Elladan whisper a remark to his twin.

"What was that brother?" The young mans voice has developed a hard edge. "You doubt him yet?" Flinty grey eyes bore into troubled brown. "After all that was said last night, you still, " his voice cracks and the anger sparks from his eyes.

"I only stated that it may be for the best if he has gone." The elder twins expression is cold and flat. " This way at least no stain will linger on our family, once he is seen to have accepted his fate so readily others may feel this proves his guilt and we may be able to discover more if we are not seen to be harbouring him here."

The fire has gradually left Estels eyes during his brothers speech and Elladan smiles hesitantly at him.

"I still may find it difficult to come to terms with ion nin, my brother," warmth fills his words as he looks at the young man. "But I fully intend to help root out the truth of this matter, what ever the outcome may be."

"Dihenno nin, forgive me." Estel reaches out a tentative hand towards his brother." I spoke in haste and fear."

"U-moe edaved, Estel, there is nothing to forgive, Estel" Elladan clasps the proffered hand tightly and they stand locked in a timeless moment until the sound of a chair scraping back against the stone floor brings them back to the present.

" Well." The lord of Imladris rises to his feet, a gentle smile playing around the corners of his mouth, "I'm glad we are all still of one accord in this matter." His eyes pass from one son to another. " It is not good however if Legolas has truly departed our realm, I feel sure there is much he can tell us to shed light upon this mystery, even if he does not realise it, and he will have need of his friends to get him through the bleak times ahead." He frowns. " Maybe he has only spent the night in the trees as is his wont when troubled, he must surely understand that we will wish to help him." He looks towards the window as if trying to spot the young archer in the branches outside. " I suggest you try to seek him out Estel whilst your brothers ready themselves for their journey. We need to implement what was laid out last night as soon as possible in order to succeed in our plans."

With that all four of them leave the hall, Elrond to compose a letter in his study, the twins to the stables to ready their horses and Estel to the gardens and forest beyond in search of his beloved friend.

.

In the depth of the forest an elf weeps.

The icy facade he had so carefully built crumbled to pieces the moment he had left the Last Homely House. As Legolas left the hall Estels anguished cry had threatened to be his undoing but somehow he had managed to keep the tears in check and he returned to his room to collect his belongings. Then, taking one last look round at the place he had loved as a second home but now felt sure would never be welcome again, he turned and ran, ran down corridors, stairs and looking back. Not daring to stop until he reached the forest because he knew that once movement ceased the tears would begin and he wanted to be far away from the chance of prying eyes when this happened. He had no idea how long he had run for, nor how far he had gone, awareness only coming back to him as the sky began to brighten with the coming dawn, then, weariness suddenly overwhelming him, had sought shelter high within the embrace of an aged oak where, seated in its loving embrace, the dam finally burst releasing pent up emotions held in check for far too long.

Faces rush before his eyes, his father, Estel, Lhosson, each wearing an expression of intense disappointment and betrayal and the sobs increase until he feels they will never stop. The pain in his heart has not diminished, he had hoped the tears would wash it away but it remains, sharp and insistent, stabbing deeper with each ragged breath he inhales, each silvery droplet that flows from reddened eyes, mounting until it overwhelms all else. Coherent thought flees before its onslaught, his mouth opens wide to emit a long keening wail that chills the soul and his body spasms, slender back arching, long limbs stiffening.

Then he falls, tumbling through the branches as the oak tries desperately to fling out limbs to catch him but to no avail, until his body crashes to the ground below in a tangled heap. Silence hits the forest like a hammer. Not a blade of grass rustles nor insect moves, for a few heartbeats as if in disbelief life within the forest is suspended, then reality begins to return slowly and oak leaves gently rain down upon the lifeless form beneath it as the tree offers the only protection it has left to give.