"In sorrow we must go, but not in despair. Behold! we are not bound for ever to the circles of the world, and beyond them is more than memory." ― J.R.R. Tolkien

Glorfindel wiped his sword distastefully on his knee his glittering armor covered in a mix of slime and black blood.

"Good hunting I say." Orophin made his way to the Elder elf thin smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Haldir sighed at his younger brother's antics his eyes to the elven numbers. They had not lost as many as he had initially feared and that beyond all was a relief. They had been battling close to a day with little rest all things considered.

"Indeed, we lost only twelve." Glorfindel answered sheathing his sword rather forcefully eyes narrowing at the setting sun in the horizon, its rays bathing the ancient forest in a warm ethereal hue. Haldir made his way to the two standing under a rather large and leafy tree even for Fangorn. He inhaled the air clearing from the twisted things they had been fighting, and though the smell was still mingled with darkness much was now covered with the sweet smell of wood. Though not heavy enough to completely eradicate the massacre, the forest was quite adamant in leaving only enough traces of blood in the wind to warn other elves of what had occurred, quite evidently showing its own stand against the creatures of darkness.

"Lord Glorfindel, what is it?" He waited for the elder elf to speak. It was better to let Glorfindel take his time in answering when something was amiss.

Glorfindel shook his head eyes focusing on the hazel of the two brothers waiting at attention and then at the elves gathering round them. Armor covered in sweat from the battle, the blood of their comrades and the blood of those they slew. Faces tired and countenances saddened from the loss, but eyes alive in victory and hope. "Nothing at present, we should bury the fallen." His eyes lingered on the black blood now littering the ground in pools. "Break camp elsewhere and rest. Then we can return to cleanse the forest from these creatures."

His eyes took in those around him and the elves nodded. Orophin gave the order and they were on the move. They went at a slower pace due to exhaustion, slow, yet fast enough to come into a greener and freer air after walking for a good portion of the hour. All the while Haldir couldn't suppress the foreboding feeling that crawled up his spine as he walked beside the elder elf. Something was amiss. He could feel it in his gut. Glorfindel didn't seem to notice it, or if he did said nothing of it. The glade they emerged in was small, they were still in Fangorn after all, and though slightly less littered in trees, made for a more compact camp this time around. Though the upside was more trees to lean on for the exhausted, he leaned against a tree lowering himself slowly onto the ground allowing Orophin to take point. Those in the trees were not as tired from the fight, having needed to move less but not by much, their arms hung loosely at their sided from exertion. They had been fighting for far too long…

His eyes lingered on the elder elf as he lit a small fire it being quite dark now; the heavens were littered with stars, and other elves did the same though taking care not to endanger the forest while at it. Watching Glorfindel fight Haldir couldn't say he wasn't impressed with Glorfindel's skills, in fact the older elf had taken out a good half of the army singlehandedly. And though he had seen Glorfindel in battle before he doubted he would ever shake of the feeling of awe that came upon him when he saw Glorfindel's blade dancing. His mind wandered back to Rumil and Lothlórien. There had been far too many orcs in this battle. More than a simple scouting party, these were a whole division of fighters with a distinct chain of command and order. What bothered him even more however was his inability to sense the orcs. How was this possible? What manner of magic or darkness were they using?

"What is it?" He blinked eyes snapping to Lord Glorfindel not having realized that he had been staring at the flames for so long. "I…it is nothing." His eyes fell back at the flames then at the older elf wondering whether he should speak until he came up with his own thoughts on the matter in a more complete sense. Glorfindel chuckled mildly at that. "Come now you have been wanting to ask something of me this past hour, surely it can't be nothing."

"He's merely thinking of Galaia my Lord he can't get her out of his mind since he saw her at Rivendell last summer." Orophin called out from his perch above them.

Haldir hughed under his breath eyes on Orophin fist clenching as he struggled against the desire to go up the tree to throttle his brother with his bare arms. Glorfindel nodded understandingly and instead of advocating peace threw a pit from the fruit he had just finished eating to Haldir. Rolling his eyes and taking good aim he propelled the pit at his brother. "Muindor!" Orophin hissed rubbing his arm. Eyes widening when he realized Glorfindel was the advocate of the whole farce. Sighing he resumed to his post not wishing to incur the elder elves wrath for his impertinence.

Haldir returned his attention back to the matter at hand and wanted to speak but the sudden worry in Glorfindel's eyes caused him to pause. "What is it?"

"The shadow." Glorfindel spoke the words barely above a whisper, so that other elven ears could not catch it. Haldir's eyes widened heartbeat quickening in fear. "The Shadow? You mean to say he is back?"

"Not he…but a rider…or something…it is distant…" The elder face elves looked foreboding silver eyes on the crackling flames. "And the orcs?" Haldir spoke suddenly attempting to connect the events together.

"I could not sense them." Haldir wanted to speak but silver eyes locked with his own. And when he realized the emotion behind the eyes his hands grew cold and he could feel a draft going down his spine. It was fear…Lord Glorfindel was frightened.

"But how is this possible." He all but gasped unable to control himself. He could feel his hands shaking as he brought a draught of water to his lips a thin bead of sweat snaking down his neck. It was suddenly very hot. Glorfindel lowered his head eyes full of anguish. "I do not know!"

Haldir shook his head, something dropped like lead in his mind draining him of strength.

"Haldir!" Someone was shaking him. Everything was distorted. "Get some water on his face now!" He could hear the elder elf barking orders tone flat and demanding. Haldir came to slowly. "What…" He shifted mind still disoriented, above him the starry sky manifested.

"You passed out." Orophin's worried face came into view as he scrutinized Haldir. "I'm fine" Haldir snapped attempting to rise. "Lie down Muindor, don't be difficult." He was about to shove off Orophin's hand when Glorfindel's keen eyes came into view no longer full of fear but full of worry a hand by his shoulder pulling at the cloth of his right sleeve between the armor. "You're wounded."

"Merely a scratch." Haldir protested faintly only to have the keen eyes narrow. "A poisoned scratch, you should not have been this careless."

"Muindor!" Orophin's face grew alarmed as another wave of faintness passed over Haldir's face. "He's too pale." Seeing that unnecessary worry would only hinder him Glorfindel sent several of the elves for the medicinal herbs tied into the main ration packs.

Seeing Haldir's younger brother linger he sighed. "Orophin resume your post let me handle this." Orophin's eyes shifted between his brother and the elder elf. At length duty and trust won out and he flitted up a tree giving a last worried glance at his brother. The elves that brought Lord Glorfindel the various herbs and bandages went back to their devices and Haldir was left with Lord Glorfindel looking down at him face inscrutable. He attempted to rise once more but a firm hand pushed him back as the smell of Atelas was placed briefly under his nose causing a shudder to pass through him, making him feel suddenly invigorated. A salve was expertly applied to the wound and in three four turns and a knot Lord Glorfindel finished with his patient.

Sitting next to his lying form Glorfindel sighed. "I'm getting clumsy..." The elder elves silver eyes were on him. "Do not say that. You have had a long battle…"

"And I fainted from a mere scratch."

"You fainted from a poisoned scratch after being soaked for hours in orcish blood. Do not lessen your own achievements for a single loss, lessen your own indifference for your being."

"It was-"

But Glorfindel cut him off sharply. "Not the first time you have neglected to treat an injury, really you're even worse than my son at least he has the sense to report the minor injuries."

"And hiding the larger ones is far better of course." Haldir quipped.

Glorfindel chuckled. "If he manages to hide them from me, you mean." Content that color was returning to Haldir's face as well as his quick tongue the Elder elf offered Haldir a hand that though still quite shaky made it into a sitting position. Lord Glorfindel passed him a swad of rations. "Do not forget you have not eaten since morning." Haldir accepted the food numbly and unwrapped it his eyes still on the older elf.

"You were saying." Glorfindel shook his head lips pursing in amusement. "I thought perhaps the episode would have made you forget…"

"As if, I've had far worse." Haldir said as he inspected his bandaged arm.

Glorfindel sighed, eyes back on the fire, silver eyes so old sharply reminding Haldir of the Elder elves age. "There is one man who may know …he is now in the Mountains of Nimrodel if my source is not mistaken… it has been several years though, yet if anyone can help us, I believe he can shed light upon these creatures that are losing the darkness we once sensed…"

Haldirs own eyes went onto the fire as he wrapped away his ration to save it for the morning. "This man is?"

Glorfindel chuckled… "Persistent, as I've mentioned time again you 'de make quite an interrogator my friend. He is known as the White Wizard and goes by the name Saruman."

"He has returned to middle earth?"

"Quite some time ago…" The Elder elf replied. "Though he prefers solitude, it is why his coming is not well known among many."

They sat for several more minutes in restful silence till at length Lord Glorfindel rose. "Get some rest mellon nin, we ride for the mountains at dawn."

He is sitting here now in my study reading to me. I do not want him here! Did I not make it clear to Galion that he is not my son? He is reading nothing related to my immediate duties as king. What it is is retelling of a great love by Rumil. I would rip it to shreds and burn it for good measure had I the desire to rise yet somehow I do not. He is sitting by the window as I am in bed. I made it clear I don't want him; I made it clear I don't love him and he persists. He calls me Adar, and yet the title still sounds foreign coming from his lips. His hair is not golden like the morning dew but black as the darkness that pervades my very being. Black like the blood of an orc black like the color of dirt and ash and all that is evil in the world. His eyes are not blue like the morning sky but a darker shade as if night will soon approach leaving me in eternal despair. His voice isn't high with life or full of joy and light. It is a low voice, one that speaks of pain and sorrows that have passed and have yet to come. Valar I do not want him! I do not want this son! Eru! Do you hear me? I do not want a replacement! I want my light my joy I want my Legolas!

I swore to her I would protect him. I would protect his smile and stay his hand from war but I had not the power to keep him from it. He grew up so fast... too fast…I could not keep him from defending my people no our people from dying. He would have made a fine King one day. Oh how he hated sitting idly while others suffered, hated the stuffiness of kingship and the like of mundane council but even with all that I loved him. How we fought when he would shirk his duties sneaking into the archery range or out with a patrol without my knowing. What could happen Ada he had said? What could indeed? And it did happen. Sweet Valar I should have kept him! Why did I let him go?

He skips a chapter his repugnant eyes on my own. I lie down I am suddenly drained of all my strength. Does he think I do not notice? I have read the book myself several times now though I do not understand why I ever have bothered. It is a tale of love and lore of pain and hope and of return. The flowing tone the pleasing cursive the characters that came alive in my own eye yet now… I see I was a fool. Such a fool… There is no such thing as hope. No such thing as everlasting love. I was betrayed. She betrayed me. It was not enough that she stole my heart she stole what little I had left to give of it. And with it a child I never knew and do not wish to. Did she not think I could be trusted? That I would love her still? I've lost so much did she think me incapable of understanding suffering? Would I not believe Lord Elrond had she asked him to prove her words? Did she think me so weak? So fickle? Perhaps if she had lived he would be here. Perhaps this son I do not know would have died in my son's stead.

Three more pages are skipped this time it's for convenience. I know what's in those pages and no doubt he couldn't read all that goes on with that even voice without coloring several shades of red. It's Elrond that I hate not only her. Why did he lie to me why keep it all? Why do the elves not think me worthy of their trust? I am reclusive yes but with good reason. Where is my ring? Why does Gandalf wear one? Do I not have a kingdom to think off? Am I not worthy to be considered such? Is blood all that matters in these idiotic ring giving's? The guardian of Rivendell has a ring as does Galadriel the accursed all seeing. Why do I not have one? Are my people not their people? Are they not elves? Do they not spill red blood for all their sakes as they keep the darkness of the forest from them? Where is my Queen? Why did Valar take her from me? My Golden fair haired Queen who kept the darkness from my heart? Ilúvatar! Why did you take my father and not me that day? He was strong, stronger than even I… stronger in spirit then any Elder elf I have ever known. Why was I spared and he left to die? I do not want this life! I do not want this crown! I do not want this Kingdom nor this son! I don't want it! Take him back! Give me my father back! Saes! I want my father! Eru do you hear me? Give him back! I don't think I've ever wanted him more than I do now.

It's dark I do not like it here wherever here is. "Adar…saes…I'm coming to you…" It is happening I think…soon I will see him in the netherworld. It's so cold… "Adar…" Come find me guide me as you said you would through the darkness. Come to me as I call for you do not leave me alone! You said you would wait for me at the other shore…Saes don't leave me…I'm afraid…to be alone…

My eyes widen as he stands before me hesitant. "Adar?" I do not understand how he is here but it doesn't matter. It's him and though it is not the armor he has died in it matter not. He is here and I would recognize him were I fading. "Help me Saes…Legolas is dead…"

I reach for him and he is hesitant but to my relief he draws near. "You are stronger than this."

"No!" I grip his arm and he flinches. "Saes Ada!" I need him! I need him to tell me it is fine. I need him to take me to my Legolas, to my beloved Queen, to all those that have died and shed their blood for me. He sits down on my bed by me like he has done all those years when I was stricken with wound and fever and I am sobbing with relief. I want to die and I need him to make it right. I want him to make it right. "Bring them back Ada! Saes. Bring them all back."

"I can't…" It's his voice that answers. It's soft and lilting tone full of all the pain he has ever suffered and all the suffering he has seen. "Ada!" The tears and voice are not my own they are of a different Thranduil, a younger Thranduil, a Thranduil whose heart was not of ice. Why had life made it so? "Saes…I need Legolas! Take me to him!" Tears fall against his will now in torrents. He reaches for his father clutching him not understanding why it's taking him so long to embrace him back. And tell him it alright; telling him that everything is alright. "Thranduil…" His eyes are on Orophin's darker ones face full of anguish.

"Why do you look at me like that? You're eyes so full of pain? We are together now. We can be for all time."

But his Adar is shaking his head his handsome countenance full of worry. "You are fading…"

"We can be together again!"

"It is not your time…" He grips his father's shoulders searching the glittering eyes, his father's face is losing color. "I have lost everything father! Saes take me with you! Don't leave me here alone." His face is buried into his father's shoulder and he is an elfling again crying at his mother's funeral at the deaths as they fight their way to claim Mirkwood. Where is she now he scarcely remembers her. "I can't…"

The hesitant hand stroking his hair pauses. "Ada?" A sigh. "You are stronger than you think…you have lived through much and I am sorry for what you lost…but Mirkwood needs you…"

"Mirkwood? Mirkwood does not need me Ada! I have given everything! Everything for it! You and her and my elves! I have given my heart for it Ada! My very soul! Every breath I made was for it saes! Let me come with you."

The eyes are softening but the pain remains. "Do you remember what you told me when I asked you to keep Mirkwood for me?"

"When you left to battle?" A nod. "You told me to keep it for you…and that you would return! And we would rebuild it together! But you lied!" He all but yells suddenly angry though he still fears to release his father lest he vanish into the air he came from.

"I know ion nin…I could not see what would come…you know there was no other way…but I did not lie…I came back to you…I will always be here…in your heart…"

His eyes are on his Ada. "I do not feel you there."

"Did you even try?" His heart freezes in his chest as he looks at his Adar. "I…I"

His father sighs… "You need rest…"

"I need you! To guide me to teach me!"

"You have done far more than I ever could. Don't ever forget that. You made me proud. A father could not ask for a better son…"

"Take me with you!" Thranduil is hopeful, a release from the pain from the horrors of the world.

"Your time will come, ion nin, but there are those who need you…"

"I have no son!"

"Your people, are they not your children as they were mine? Will you not guide them for me? Will you not be their light?"

"I have no light left to give!"

"But they do not know that…" His eyes widened. "They do not know that your light has faded, but they do not need to…you are an elf, my ion nin no light or lack of light in the world could change that. So be that light and I will wait for you. We will wait for you… be the King Legolas would be proud of… I would be proud off and one day we shall be together again. Thranduil all but sobbed in relief it was warmer now…still cold but not so much…and he was tired so very tired.

Galion stopped pacing as he heard footsteps. He had been pacing outside the King's chambers for nearly an hour mind wracked with worry. Eru saes let him reach Thranduil! The door was opened quietly. A deathly pale Arrai closed the door behind him sweat beading heavily down his brow.

"Did he?"

Arrai shook his head steadying himself a hand on the wall for support. "He thought I was Orpherion," he all but whispered, eyes full of both confusion and horror.

Hey it's been a while I'm surprised I got down so much. Anyway if you read and like review! A big shout out to Horsegirl01, HTitan and Crescent Moon Dancer, you guys are what make me feel so good about updating your feedback is awesome! So yea again like I said I'm busy with other stuff so we shall se how it goes but till then enjoy.

Not: How did Arrai know what to say/ know of the whole Orpherion battle etc? Firstly Lord Glorfindel and Lord Elrond would have told him all about what was said plus what happened it's also elven lore has some stuff and he's basically doing a touch and go. Why is Thranduil not awesome here? Again Thranduil is fading, the guy lost everything he's fading/ his mind is breaking down, he's at his lowest here so cut the poor guy some slack.