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Elrond sighs at the Mirkwood elf in front of him. “Perhaps you could throw it in a fire for me?”
“I’ve been told that ignorance would not be a wise idea.” The elf looks too amused for Elrond’s liking.
Elrond opens the letter with trepidation. He wouldn’t trust Thranduil to not find some way to kill him with it.
Elrond,
Please keep me informed of my son's health as much as you can.
King Thranduil
Elrond looked up at the messenger. “That is all?”
“That is all he gave.” The elf nodded with a slight look of confusion.
Elrond read it again. He knows it’s highly unlikely Thranduil has calmed since the last time Legolas went rogue. Therefore one line does not make the most sense.
“Thank you. Tell him I will.” Elrond nodded.
The elf nodded once then left.
Elrond sat back in his chair and stared at the letter for a little longer. Maybe more words will appear. They don’t.
He finds Legolas with the dwarf and a few of Rohan’s warriors. Legolas hears him coming and meets him halfway.
Elrond places a hand on his shoulder with a small smile. “How are you?”
“Well.’ Legolas smiles back then tilts his head. ‘Why have you come?”
“I had a discussion with Aragorn. It is not of important right now. Tell me, you haven’t been hurt have you?” They start walking around the camp.
Legolas sighs. “Tell him I am fine. I knew what I was doing when I-”
“I know my child. Quite honestly I have been more concerned about his reaction than you. One line.”
Legolas raises an eyebrow. “It doesn't matter if I live through this, he will kill me as soon as I am home.”
Elrond chuckles. “He will be very glad to have you home.’ His smile falls away as he thinks about the last news they’ve gotten from Mirkwood. ‘Things have worsened. Both myself and Galadriel have offered to send a legion but…”
“He’ll never accept it.’ Legolas nods. ‘Neither will our people. The soldiers of Mirkwood will survive. They always do. The quicker we fight Sauron the better their chances. I do not believe Frodo knows even Elves count on him.”
“Maybe Not. Maybe he does. I have faith in the Hobbit.”
Legolas shakes his head. “But not enough to risk Arwen’s life.”
“Arwen has chosen her path.”
Legolas nods. “I am sorry for the pain that will cause you.”
“I saw death in her future, yes.’ He sighs heavily. ‘But she is right. I also saw life. I have done so before.”
Legolas tenses just slightly. “Do you think she would’ve been more upset then Ada?”
Elrond laughs. “About the same if I had to guess, but there also would’ve been great pride. You are very much like her Legolas, unfortunately… you get just as many of your traits from your father.”
Legolas laughs and Elrond finally feels that he can send a letter to Thranduil that he is well without lying.
Thranduil arrives 3 days before the fellowship is due to return to rivendell. He arrives with a legion sized group of warriors who were ‘well enough.’ If Elrond believed the rumors about his friend he would wonder if they were forced to wait for treatment but he knows Thranduil represents every Mirkwood elf and their stubbornness through reflection of his people.
He enters the guest bedroom Thranduil takes every time without knocking. Thranduil continues to stare at himself in the mirror.
“They have not improved or worsened I see.” He sets a few healing pastes and potions on the desk in front of Thranduil.
“If they haven’t by now I don’t think they ever will my friend.’ He smiles and Elrond watched as he slowly glamoured his scars away. ‘There is nothing new for you to heal.”
“Turiel says differently.” Elrond crosses his arms.
Thranduil huffs. “I used to wonder why her and Legolas were such great friends.”
Elrond laughs. “Show me.”
Thranduil sighs but obliges.
“Ada.” Legolas stands with the fellowship but is obviously more hesitant about the situation.
Thranduil stares at his son as Elrond watches in amusement. Thranduil then looks to Aragorn. “Estel.”
“King Thranduil.” Aragon bows.
“Who are the rest of your companions?” Thranduil carefully scrutinizes everyone and they each squirm.
“This is Gimli.’ Aragorn squeezes Gimli’s shoulder tightly and the Dwarf grumbles but bows. ‘These are the hobbits. Merry, Pippin, Sam and Frodo.” Aragon points out each one.
Thranduil tilts his head. “They do not bow?”
“Not to anyone.” Aragorn shakes his head slightly.
Thranduil hums. “Where is Mithrandir?”
Aragorn smiles slightly. “He said he had responsibilities. I believe what he actually meant was as far away from you as possible.”
Thranduil tilts his head. “That is probably a wise decision. Leave us.”
“Of course.” Aragorn nods then nods to the hobbits to leave and pulls Gimli along.
Thranduil watches them leave as he walks to his son. The door shuts and he quickly holds his son in his arms.
Legolas slowly hugs him back. “I… thought you would be more upset with me.”
“It is hard to be relieved and furious at the same time. Even for me.”
They stand there for a few silent moments then Thranduil pulls away.
Legolas looks at his Ada’s face then looks at the ground. “You are done being relieved.”
“What were you thinking?!” Thranduil starts.
Elrond steps out the door to find 4 concerned Hobbits, an amused Elessar, and a frowning Gimli.
“Have they finished?” Aragorn asks with a smile.
“For today.’ Elrond responds in kind. ‘I will lead you to your rooms. Thranduil and Legolas will join us for dinner. They need some time alone.”
“Is Legolas alright?” Merry glances toward the door.
Elrond tilts his head. “Of course he is. Why wouldn’t he be?”
“The King did a mighty amount of yelling.” Pippin nods.
“Yes well Legolas knew what he agreed too. Thranduil is very protective of his son and does not like anyone putting him in danger including Legolas himself. Thranduil is mostly done being upset.”
“Reminds me of my Gaffer.’ Sam shrugs. ‘Do we get the same rooms as last time?”
Elrond nods. “If you wish. That is where we have you now.” He leads them away and keeps a close eye on Gimli. As he thought, Gimli peaks into the throne room then follows them a second later.
“I’m sorry I worried you Ada.” Legolas sits still in front of Elrond's throne while Thranduil changes his braids from battle braids to celebration braids.
“You did a very brave thing, stupid, but brave. Since the ring was destroyed we have removed most of the spiders and the sickness is slowly leaving the trees. Once it is clean we will no longer be Mirkwood. Home will be called Eryn Lasgalen.”
Legolas blinks a few times. “Ada. You can not.”
“I did not.’ Thranduil smirks slightly. ‘Our people did. They are eager to see you, and to show you home.” The home that is now named after him.
“I will return home with you but I do not know how long I will be permitted to stay.’ Legolas sighs. ‘I’m afraid my time has been limited by others' life times. I wish to spend all the time possible with my friends.”
“I see.’ Thranduil finishes the braids and runs his hand over his son’s hair. ‘There is also the matter of your sea longing.”
“I did not expect that you knew about that.” Legolas tensed and spoke in elvish.
“Elrond has informed me. Legolas, wherever you must go, I will go with you.” Thranduil kissed his son’s head.
“Thank you Ada.” Legolas laid his head down on his Ada’s thigh.
“Why is there a dwarf?” Thranduil asked as the door cracked open and a dwarf peaked in.
“He is my friend, he is probably concerned with your screaming, leave him alone Ada.” Legolas smiled fondly.
“If I must.” Thranduil sighed.
Elrond watched fondly as Thranduil and Legolas, along with their legion of previously injured soldiers and curiously enough Gimli, headed back to Eryn Lasgladen. He wondered how many years Legolas could fight against the sea longing but he wondered even more how long Thranduil could fight before he followed his son to Valinor. He would find out he supposes, he only has to wait a few more years until Frodo is ready to sail, then he can have endless loved ones to wonder with.
Elladan and Elhroir appeared beside him. “Thranduil has done wonders for the rumors.” Elladan smirks.
“Now not even one is spared from the wrath of the Elvenking.” Elhroir finishes.
Elrond sighs fondly. If anyone would know about the Wrath of the Elvenking it would be the two who took his son on ‘adventures’ when he could barely wield a sword. He is more surprised that nothing happened now. At least he doesn’t think something has happened. More time will have to pass before he is sure.