"Worst is a bad word," I said to him, "and I hope you do not live to see it." ― J.R.R. Tolkien

Tauriel marched off angrily followed a step behind by her brother. "Why had you the need to say that? What possessed you so muindor?"

"What possessed you to hold back vital information gwethil?" Tulien followed his sister, a step behind her forceful gait.

Tauriel ran up the steps still followed by her brother red hair a blur as she raced away while he gave chase to reason with her. "It was not vital! Now he thinks I'm incompetent! Can't you see? He absolutely loathes me!"

"He only desires you gave him the full report. As captain it was your duty!"

"As captain it was my duty to sense the patrol which I did not!" She flung the doors open to her chambers wanting badly to slam the door on her brother's face but he was too close for her to do so without hurting him.

"So you withheld that as well?" Tulien all but yelled slamming the door shut. "You said you had sensed them when they were upon us, no one in the company had. Why the lie?"

Tearing off her weapons Tauriel shook in rage. "As captain I could not say I was not ready to face them! How could I when they depend on me for guidance? What would you have done if you had heard me claim that I had not anticipated the ambush?"

Tulien clenched a fist. "I would have stood by your side regardless. You shame me by thinking otherwise."

"Where are you going?"

"Nowhere, I am going to think on what you said and tomorrow when the Kings temper is cooled I will tell him that which you failed to report."

"No don't!" She blocked the door as her brother turned to take his leave.

"And why not dear gwethil?"

Tauriel sighed. "You are not ready yet."

"For captaincy?" Her brother sneered. "I am child no longer! You are not the one by whose rules I must abide. Leave me be!"

"Adar would not have wanted you to die in vain!"

"Vain?" Tulien choked on the word as if it disgusted him. "I die in vain? I have trained for centuries Tauriel perhaps you are a century older but you knew nothing of Adar!"

"He too was lost in his loathing of the orcs!" Tauriel yelled. "Can't you see it was the death of him? Naneth would not want revenge! She wanted us to sail! To be free!"

"Really! Then why have you not sailed?" Tulien all but snarled.

Tauriel set her jaw. "That is no concern of yours."

"Then my actions are no concern of yours." He whispered coldly. Seeing her adamant at keeping the door closed he pulled open the nearest window and scaled down a floor ignoring his sister who burst into tears at this action.

O-o-O-o-O

Legolas awoke when the first rays of the sun kissed his face. He groaned as he attempted to sit. When had he felt so sore? He vaguely recalled a hand holding his own sometime in the night. His Adar should be resting not spending hours by his bedside. His musings were interrupted by Astalder primary healer in Mirkwood.

"I see you are awake my prince. How do you feel?"

"Fine." Legolas swung himself of the bed with ease.

A sigh escaped the healer's lips. "Telling you to ease the strain on your wounded arm for the next few days would make little difference, would it not?"

Legolas smiled apologetically. "I will try not to agitate it much mellon nin."

"Good." The healer hummed busying himself with a basket of freshly gathered Athelas.

Legolas saw himself out walking briskly to the throne room burdened with great purpose only to meet Galion who met him in the hall.

"Is my father in council?"

"Ah my prince! You gave me quite the scare. Last I saw his highness was taking a stroll in the royal gardens."

He nodded his thanks and ran off to find to his Adar. He would have spoken of what occurred sooner but the healers had insisted he rest and his father had been in council all night. He emerged in the gardens only to hear thuds from the archery range. Upon investigation Legolas discovered it was his father who had been practicing much to his surprise. Legolas would have marveled at the skill save the knowledge that he had never seen his father use a bow before. Another arrow embedded itself with a thwack. Then another and another. Legolas stood concealed behind a tree observing his father's progress. The first few arrows were a thumbs breath off. The more recent ones embedded themselves closer to the target however by elven standards they were still considered a far cry from the center. The form was perfection. The arrows release a marvel but somehow the arrows missed their intended destination. Whatever seemed to be bothering his father must have been grave indeed. That and the uneasy shifting of his gut gave him a foreboding feeling. Whatever had happened in the forest it signified something. He only wished his father had taught him more of elven lore. The royal library was forbidden even to himself only Galion and the King had access to it. Most of what he knew came from the few stories he wheedled out from his father. Once centuries back he got Galion drunk using Dorwinion wine. That had been the day he found out of his father's scars. King Thranduil was not too pleased with his discovery nor the methods used. The punishment was not severe but his father's coldness for the next few months had been more than enough to discourage him from any more such attempts.

He turned to leave when his father broke the silence. The tip of the bow hit the ground making a thud in the grass. King Thranduil leaned on it lightly face turned to where Legolas stood among the tree branches appearing amused by his sons antics.

"What is it ion nin?" Discovered and seeing no further point in hiding Legolas alighted from his ledge and joined his father.

"I had not the chance to tell you. However I believe that something or someone is commanding the orcs."

His father's now impassive face darkened. "What proof do you have of this claim?"

"The orcs, they had little dispute amongst themselves as my scouts and I trailed them. The more brutish one seemed to be barking orders and the ones smaller in comparison scurried out to do their bidding."

The King waved the idea away with a shake of his head and a nullifying hand gesture. "That has always been the way amongst orcs. The lack of discord could be coincidence especially if the commander is adept at instilling fear into those who follow him."

Legolas sighed irritably. "Something was not right with the way they fought Adar. They tried to drag one of my men off alive."

Thranduil waved this away as well though he was now frowning. "They do so often for some wretched pleasure of theirs."

Legolas groaned in frustration unable to reach his father. Thranduil sighed placing a hand on his son. "I shall keep your warning not far from heart. Will that please you ion nin?" Warm eyes met Legolas's worried one. Legolas smiled warmly allowing his father to crush him in an embrace.

"Ai ion nin," Thranduil murmured into Legolas's hair stroking it. "I wish you did not risk yourself so."

Legolas sighed allowing his father to hold him. "I must Ada. I cannot sit idly while my men risk their lives for the realm." Thranduil pulled away and gazed into his sons eyes his hand stroking Legolas's cheek. "Go rest ion nin leave me to my thoughts." Legolas frowned inwardly realizing his father was going to keep him in the dark of any development if only to protect him. He brushed passed Tulien who squeezed his shoulder in acknowledgement. Returning the gesture Legolas went to the general elven training fields to practice with his knives with whatever unlucky elf was practicing at this hour.

Tulien approached the King and bowed briefly. Thranduil's eyes narrowed in anticipation. "What have you to report?"

Tulien frowned briefly. "My Lord, there is something I wish to speak of though I know not whether it is my place or weather it means much."

"Speak."

"We were taken unawares by the orcs because we felt not the dark presence they leave in their wake. It is slight but it is enough for us to be prepared against ambush." Tulien dared a look at the Kings face which was rapidly draining of color.

"M…my King?" He stuttered paling himself. The King looked up briefly giving him a look of keen understanding.

"You did well to tell me of this. You would do me a great honor if you served me as Captain."

"Thank you." Tulien bowed and was about to take his leave but a hand briefly landed on his shoulder stopping him. "No, thank you." The Kings cold eyes met his own. Something softened in them for a moment a wan smile graced the Kings face. "You remind of your father, he was a brave man." Then the eyes were dismissive again and the new Captain of Mirkwood took his leave.

Astalder- Valiant one, as elves value life over death those who preserve life are well respected and loved

Muindor-brother

Gwethil-Sister

Tulien- means coming in elvish, also the name I chose for Tauriel's brother

Will try to update again soon. Read and Review!