His father had felt that something had happened in the woods by the borders to greatly upset the elvish patrol there about an hour and a half before they arrived. Both Legolas and his father had been sitting in a council meeting when Galion appeared at the door with a sour look on his face.

After only a brief glance, Legolas excused himself and left the king to deal with matters, while he investigated the reason for the commotion. Galion did not wait for him even a moment before turning on his heel and gliding away, quick enough it was easy to tell that his steps were fueled with anger.

He jogged to catch up, "What's wrong?"

"The patrol found Gandalf and some human halfway to our home. At first they were only going to draw up the bridges and hope he turned back but of course, the human stepped in a web."

Legolas rolled his eyes, "Of course." Even before he had closed his borders off to everyone an escort was mandatory through their woods for newcomers. The exact same thing had happened with the dwarves as with Gandalf; they had long been trailing them before the hobbit had gone and played with the web.

He could still hear the half breathed curses from the branches around him the moment Bilbo did that.

"Gandalf brought some foul, tainted creature in a sack."

"A sack?"

They had all believed that Gandalf would turn up on their doorstep sooner or later, needing a favor for some affair he had meddled in. Legolas was already absolutely certain he wanted no part in it.

He realized that Galion was leading him down, down, down into the earth. Past the cellars and into the dungeons, where a horrible screeching and wailing sound echoed with nauseating relentlessness.

Avaliena waited for him at the bottom of the stairs, a wince on her face at the noise but a burning anger in her eyes, and a very deep and humanlike bite mark on her arm. She didn't say anything right away only gestured for him to look into the cell where a very tiny, dirty, and pitiful creature wallowed in everything wrong in its life. Loudly.

Some sort of cushioning had been fastened to his hands, and he had been tied by the waist with some sort of fabric and to the ceiling in such a way it kept him from reaching any of the solid stone walls. The ground beneath him had been padded, but there was already deep bruises and gashes in his head.

A long rope lay in a pile nearby.

The creature seemed to be more upset with the cushioning than with the gashes bleeding onto his face.

Legolas had seen enough, and turned away and quickly made his way back up the stairs and was followed, he assumed, by the other two elves. When finally they reached the top of the stairs they closed the door firmly behind, finally muffling the noise to a bearable level.

"What on Arda is that thing."

Ava still smelt of the forest, and there was still a leaf tucked in her hair and dirt on her face, "I have no idea. Mithrandir said it's the matter he wished to discuss with you."

Of course, he had come for a favor. Of course. "With me specifically?"

"All he said was 'discuss with him' but I would assume he meant you, considering the last time you two parted you yourself was not yet sure if your father was alive. He would not risk his life by asking us to speak with the king. Not after what he did."

To say the last time he and Mithrandir saw one another had been unpleasant was a gross understatement, it had been literally moments before he saw his father in the tent for the first time. Right before he threatened to have him personally thrown out of Greenwood followed by a, not at all concealed threat

Legolas was starting to get a headache already, sensing she wasn't finished. "A group of orcs followed him and the human into the forest, we thought about trying to ambush them but their number was too great. They're still confused in the south woods."

"Leave them there for now. The wizard?"

"We didn't know where to put him but for now he's in the throne room waiting. Locked in. Farlen is standing outside "

He thought about it for a moment, "You said there was a human too?"

"Spoke with Mithrandir the same as you and I would, and never in Westeron."

Elladan and Elrohir's adopted human brother then, the one they had both been gushing about in their letters for the last fifty years. They had mentioned he was on an errand with the wizard, but did not yet know what.

"We gave them food and water, for the human's sake," Galion added without being asked, they were unwelcoming to outsiders but not cruel for no reason.

"Poor thing looked scared for his life the entire time. I heard him trying to discreetly ask why we hated Mithrandir so much. He did not answer."

"Of course not." His father had long since grown frustrated with the wizards elusive answers that left out truths without lying. Legolas had reached his limit after the battle at the mountain. Of course, he had not told his companion that he was not welcome here. "Galion go tell my father what's happened, I'm going to talk to Mithrandir."

Galion hesitated, "You know as well as I that he is just going to send me back to you as fast as I could possibly get here to stop you."

Mithrandir was the being responsible for the very, very near death and now crippling of his father. He was responsible for all of his people that did died that day. He was responsible for the banishment of the Necromancer but not those that followed him; throwing them into a frenzied angered freedom where at least before they had been controlled.

"Yes. So I have what, three or four minutes for you to get there and back?" Legolas asked, already on his way down the hall to talk to somebody he used to call a friend.

Galion had even less favor now for Mithrandir than even Legolas, he was the one that just had to watch it all happen. Had to watch the prince he had helped raise suffer like that and Thranduil who had loved almost as a brother now. "Four minutes. I don't have to hurry there."

...0.0

Galion turned the last corner to the throne room just in time to get nearly trampled by Farlen as he raced away with urgent orders from his prince and captain, Avaleian had already gone the other way.

Legolas was blazing in all of his glory, a prince whose kingdom had been immediately threatened who fully intended to see to the task himself. He waited at the end for Legolas to catch up with him, paper ready just in case Legolas spoke too fast for him to fully remember his instructions.

But Legolas stopped when he reached his father's attendant and friend, "That thing in the dungeons knows where the Ring is."

Even Galion had struggled to hear what he said so low his voice had been, yet it still felt as if every single evil eye in the forest was turned to him. "What are you going to do?"

"I am going to go kill every single orc that followed them here. After ensuring that no secrets have been spread."

Unpleasant work. Gruesome, really. "And if they have?"

"I don't know."

Both his face and his hands had suddenly gone cold. If those in Dul Guldur found out that they housed the answer to their masters greatest wish… They would be dead by morning.

"Kementari protect us."

Legolas stepped away, towards the armory. "If she was going to protect us, she would have done it by now."

...0.0

It was a strange thing when Legolas lost his temper. Because Thranduil always felt compelled to keep his own immaculate, one of them would have to be a voice of reason. Usually, almost always, that was Legolas.

He hadn't even seen his son before he had left to hunt the orcs but seeing Gallion's face was enough. "You're certain that they didn't know about the creature and what he knows?"

Farlen nodded, and Legolas and Avaleina did not dispute it. Their eyes still haunted by inflicting incentive enough to get the truth, "We're certain."

Legolas cleared his throat, "They all thought they belonged to a town nearby they could raid if they followed long enough. I guess their tribe didn't do well over the winter."

"And you got all of them."

This time it was Legolas who nodded, "Every single one. Trust me."

And if there was anything left in this word that Thranduil trusted it was his son. "Alright."

"I am sending Ava and Farlen and six of whoever they choose to the border with them to go ask the tree's if they have seen or heard any noticeable changes." It was hard to get an exact account from distances, tree's in a forest were only individuals when you stood near them. "Just in case."

They all knew that Thranduil would not question this either. After Legolas' brief stint at being king, the two seemed to have settled into a strange co-ruling role of sorts. Thranduil was king and ultimately everything was still up to him, but there was were certain roles and tasks that Legolas had taken full control over. The archers being one of those very things.

The Greenwood army still more or less rested in the hands of Lord Ferdan, but the archers had long since been loyal to their prince.

When his father didn't say anything in objection he nodded to his captains, "Go on then."

Hands to their hearts they bowed somewhat formally to their king and excused themselves, both members of the royal family felt their tempers simmer at something outside in the hall.

"That would be Mithrandir on his way here. Can I trust you to stay and not lose your temper?"

Legolas picked up an apple out of the fruit bowl and tossed it into the air with incredible flourish, "How about I take a bite everytime I'm about to say something I shouldn't?"

Thranduil looked at the bowl and then looked to his son, "We're going to need more apples."

Galion knocked on the door that Farlen and Avaleina had left open, "My King, the trespassers."

Thranduil looked over to Legolas, eyebrows raised. He would not hesitate to throw Legolas from the room if the felt it necessary. There were those in this world who underestimated the prince His father had never been one of them.

In response he plopped himself down on the corner of his father's sturdy desk, "I'm alright. Galion bring them in."

And in the two were ushered, Mithrandir looking almost as terrified as the poor human man, Legolas crunched into his apple the moment the two walked in. Thranduil shot him a look and then spoke, "Mithrandir, it has been some time since I have seen you, considering you left so swiftly last time you were here. I am glad to see you are well."

Pleasant words and pleasant tone, but a harsh reminder of the circumstances the two had parted in.

Legolas had heard the meaning just as clear as Mithrandir, and in an effort to contain a laugh bit into his apple once more, watching as their old friend seemed to prepare for battle, "Thranduil-"

"My King." Legolas corrected, ignoring his father's second warning glance. They had to be careful now, even if Mithrandir was not the new master, there was no doubt he knew them. Keeping information secret and safe was imperative; there was no room for slip-ups. "Your Highness. My Liege. Whichever you prefer."

Mithrandir looked to Legolas and when he saw him hard as stone sighed, and began again, "My King, I am also very glad to see you well, I have long wished to hear such news."

Both father and son wondered if that was because he was genuinely worried, or if he just wanted to pass the news along. Or ease his own conscience.

"One might even say you prayed for it." To keep him sitting on the desk and not sent out into the hall with an 'urgent manner' he took another bite, probably sensing his sons rising temper Thranduil placed a gentle but restraining hand on his arm before returning it to the arm of the chair.

"I hope you do not plan on making a habit of routinely bringing such distasteful creatures to my home every few decades. I must admit, it is a game I will quickly tire from." Dwarves, as far as he was concerned were nearly the same as the creature in the sack. Another pawn unknowingly played.

Mithrandir went to respond, but Thranduil being himself wave for silence before the wizard even began, the less time spent with one another the better. "I am not interested in your excuses. Just tell me what you want and why."

"The Ring has been found, and Gollum knows the location of the one who currently possesses it. It is imperative that he is kept out of the enemies reach, but with such darkness touching his soul the Ringwraiths would be able to find him everywhere. Everywhere but here."

Legolas and his father looked at one another; they had taken brief bets among the few who knew why he had brought the creature to them. Lord Ferdan had won, and would gloat for years. Legolas snorted at even the thought of the jokes, and his father tried not to smile.

They had learned long ago to take joy in small moments, whenever you could. There was no time for waiting.

Sobering once more Thranduil leaned back in his chair, subtly adjusting his injury. It had been a long day, and bed rest was most comfortable. "That is answers the 'why', but not the 'what.'"

"I wish to ask you, to beg you if I must-"

"That could be entertaining." Again, Thranduil tired not to smile but in spite of that, he gestured loosely for Legolas to continue on his apple. There was no point, it was finished.

To his credit, Mithrandir ignored him. "To keep him hidden here, in your dungeons where he cannot cause harm and cannot be found. At least until I can travel to the one who holds the Ring and get him to safety, for he does not know the great evil he possesses' and will be unable to defend himself should they find him."

"And where, pray tell, will you be traveling to?"

This was an important question. A very, very important question. They already had their suspicions that it had somehow been used in bringing about the dreadful day of the battle. That it had been used to free the dwarves. Had it been planted somewhere to be found, Gondor perhaps? Or had he given it to Galadriel whom he loved so much and had a history of wanting power as it was.

"Yes, Ion-nin, I do believe it is."

"Then we are done here." Thranduil pulled a list of things he needed to attend to, a gift from Galion at some point in the day, "Legolas, if you will."

Legolas lightly tossed the core of his apple into a nearby garbage and then jumped to his feet, "Of course, Adar."

A dismissal was a dismissal and he somewhat gleeful began the process of almost throwing them from the room. Mithrandir seemed to realize he had lost, he was at the disadvantage here. And if he forgot, Legolas would happily remind him. "The Shire. I will be traveling to the Shire."

Not exactly what they had expected. But it made sense, the hobbit. How else had he stolen the Arkenstone and set free the dwarves? Lacking an apple and therefore a distraction, Legolas was free to let out a fake and somewhat mocking gasp, "But Adar, is that not where our dear friend Bilbo Baggins comes from?"

Thranduil allowed it. "Yes, Ion-nin, I do believe it is."

They both turned back to Mithrandir.

"Very well, Mithrandir, we will keep that foul little thing of yours here. But only because it is Legolas' belief that attempting to remove him from our woods unnoticed would put our people in more reckless danger. Recklessness that, unlike you, we can ill afford." Thranduil sighed with yet another shift in his seat; his legs were probably going painfully numb.

That had been the general recommendation from the archers, to keep him from the woods if at all possible. They had spies in the tree's the enemy did not know about, who was to say they did not do the same?

A decision had been made, that's all they needed and so Legolas resumed removing them from the room, "Out. The King is very busy, and you have wasted enough of his time."

Just as the door was about to close a foot obstructed the way and Thranduil briefly wondered if Mithrandir had any idea how thin the ice he was stomping on was. "Will you ever forgive me, Greenleaf?"
Legolas was cold. Angry. Betrayed. "It seems unlikely." And then he slammed the door shut.

...0.0

Thanks for reading & I can't wait to hear your thoughts!

If you want to read this exact chapter but from Gandalf and Aragorns POV go read "Sinking Stones" but stop at chapter 3 if you dont want spoilers for this one.

Okay thanks, see you next chapter!