Chapter 3
"Father," Legolas spoke quietly, his head bowed to show respect. Thranduil hummed, fingers drumming against the throne that he was perched on. The throne of Mirkwood was a work of art, and Legolas knew that it had taken the Elves of the time quite a long while to finish. It was still the highlight of the Kingdom. It also highlighted everything they believed in the Kingdom, to live in peace with the land, in harmony with it and not against it. That was something that the Dwarves and Mortal Men did not adhere to themselves. His father cut an even sharper figure sitting on the throne than he did by himself, hard as that was to beat. Legolas knew that it was unlikely he would ever look as regal as Thranduil. The silver of his clothes glittered, the green glistened, and the crown upon his head was an elegant autumn leaf crown. It would soon be littered with snowberries rather than leaves. The crown changed with the season.
Legolas felt unnerved, as he always did when Thranduil got into these sorts of moods. The Dwarves had been causing a racket but had yet to do anything more than be mildly annoying to the guards that oversaw them. The guards were also constantly rotated, and the keys to dungeons were removed from the Guards and placed in Thranduil's own hands after a mentioned mutter from the boy that had urged his father to decide it wise to keep them on his own person. The words had not been said to them, but muttered as Legolas was leaving, and he had taken the time to press the matter in to Thranduil, who accepted the idea. According to the boy, the Cellar keys in his own house were only ever given to the patriarch of the family, the highest-ranking member, and none had a copy, or the will to steal from such a high standing person. It was dangerous, for one, garnering the potential wrath of such a person. This had been yesterday, as a Guard had mentioned while Legolas was in the room, how the Dwarves were causing a racket, and how he feared an attempted escape. Legolas had mentioned that the keys were hardly easy to get to as they were left in the wine bay, but such a thing shocked the boy, who had uttered such words under his breath as Legolas was leaving. He was grateful that it allowed Legolas to inform his father if nothing else. Thranduil had been rather pleased with the suggestion.
"Very well, I will allow your...request. They must be sent back once you reach Elrond, however, is that clear?" Thranduil was looking at Legolas with a dark look in his eyes, which made it clear that should Legolas even try to disobey it would reap consequences he did not even want to imagine. A few extra guards and a healer may not seem much, but Mirkwood was at war with the spiders, and Legolas knew that Thranduil was not only losing a few guards and a healer, but also his best fighter, and heir. It was dangerous, but everything now a days was dangerous, and getting Elrond’s thoughts on the boy’s strange wounds was imperative.
"Yes, my Lord," Legolas whispered, his head still bowed down in respect. His nerves were still on the upper end, and he felt his shoulders tighten in anxiety as his father continued to speak.
"I cannot, very well, allow you to leave without a slightly higher guard. You will take yourself, the boy...Rimedur," The King paused over the last name, as though he were being forced to admit something highly unpleasant. Legolas knew his father was not fond of the Healers, but he also knew that Thranduil would see the sense in sending a healer with them. It was obvious enough considering he had agreed to the request in the first place. It could also be Rimedur himself that his father had an issue with. The Elf was rather young for a healer, but one of the best that they had. His aptitude for healing arts and bedside manners were the best among their elves, at the very least. "As well as three guards. One will accompany the healer as he returns from Elrond's lands, the other two will stay with you and the boy as you are there." Legolas exhaled slowly, and made a show of nodding, keeping his head bowed. He was still anxious, and things were far from over, he knew. Thranduil hummed, leaning forwards on his throne, his very presence seemed to loom over Legolas. His father could be quite the figure of intimidation, he knew. "I am sure you know how Elrond thinks of me, ensure that he is not given too much worse a thought, as best as you can, and once Elrond is finished with his assessments of the boy, and trying his best to heal him of the curse that plagues him, you and the child are to return to these lands, do I make myself perfectly clear?"
"Yes, my Lord," Legolas stated, his voice sure despite his own tumultuous heart. He knew his father could be quick in his anger, but it more often than not simmered in the background, and the dislike and sheer distrust that had been cultivated between him and Lord Elrond was eons in the making. Legolas was certain there was little that could be done about it, and he was yet not entirely sure what Elrond thought on it. While he knew the Imladris Lord did not take a great liking to Legolas' father, he was not sure whether that was strictly because of political form or something else. Elves were quite adept at hiding their true emotions after all.
"How is the boy doing now?" Thranduil questioned, his voice gentler now, losing the biting sharpness that it had held moments earlier.
"He seems to be getting better." Legolas stated, his head finally raised to meet his father's eyes. "He is still terrified of us, however."
"He still obeys, however." Thranduil clarified. Legolas sighed but nodded once.
"Yes, he does."
"That is all that is truly necessary, is it not?"
"I suppose, in a way...yes." The agreement was forced through Legolas's throat. As much as he hated to admit it, his father had a point. If the boy was obedient, it did not matter if he was terrified, he would obey Legolas, and that was all they needed, barring his physical state to be improved, to go to Elrond's. If the boy obeyed Legolas, most of the danger the trip would comprise would not be a problem.
"Then I suppose you are more than capable of starting tomorrow? Yes?" Legolas winced at the words but knew better than to directly oppose.
"Well, there is a slight issue...of clothing. The boy still has nothing but the cloak that we offered him a few days ago, and his own clothing of course, but that has not been cleaned considering..." Legolas drifted off, but he did not have to say anything more.
"Deal with it, I am sure you can figure something out. And Legolas, be easy with him." Legolas withheld a smile at his father's uncharacteristic worry over someone. It was interesting to see, and always fascinating to him when it happened. "Beyond that, you should be more than capable of leaving tomorrow, correct?"
"Yes, and we should return at last within a cycle or two."
"I will anticipate your return before winter then. Ensure that you manage it, the winter is far more dangerous than I would feel comfortable having you traverse."
"There is no reason to worry," Legolas reassured. "We should be more than able to make it back by then." That was, assuming nothing went wrong, but considering spring had just barely drifted over the land, he did not think they would have too much trouble. Legolas could not make a promise, but he could attempt to reassure his father. There were times he got like this. He still was not fond of Legolas leaving to the edges of the Mirkwood, going all the way to Imladris was a first, for both Legolas to go alone without his Father, and for his Father to even allow such a thing.
Despite what he told his father, Legolas did feel a bit upset at their current plans as he left the throne room, having been dismissed and seeing the sense in escaping his father’s keen gaze as soon as possible. There was absolutely no way that he was going to be able to get the boy less terrified of him before leaving to Elrond. He did not know if that was a good thing...or a bad one, but he was leaning heavily towards the latter. Elrond just had a certain mindset and was unable to see the sense of a different one. That was what Legolas felt. His father did the best that he could with what little they had, and that was something Legolas knew Elrond just would not understand, because he had not been in that type of a situation before, and as a result could not understand his father's methods. Whatever the case would be, Legolas himself was welcomed well enough in the courts of Imladris...though he was given the standard wary factor that all his kin were given. Woodland elves were volatile, at best, and even Legolas had his own moments of vitriol. They were dangerous because of their circumstances, and Legolas found it surprising that even though the Imladris elves could understand there was an innate difference between their people, they could not grasp what caused that difference.
"We are leaving tomorrow," Legolas stated, the moment he reached the healing ward. The boy sat up, tilting his head questioningly. "My father wishes for you to see Lord Elrond, to ensure that there is no long-lasting negative effects of the magic that we pulled from you, and to ensure that you are healthy besides. Elrond is an expert at magical injuries, and therefore it would be best to see about such a situation, and my father wishes to ensure you are okay. Furthermore, a trip to Imladris was meant to take place a long time ago, and my father has some missives he needs sent to the Lord of the land as well. This is as good a time as ever to ensure they make it there." The blond haired boy did not really respond too much to what Legolas was saying, something which slightly disappointed him, he had to admit. "These are for you," Legolas stated, holding out a set of elvish robes. He had commandeered some from the healer's wardrobe. It was the best that he could do given the circumstances, and it was not as though his father had given him much to work with other than figure it out...which was entirely unhelpful at best.
"Thank you," Draconis stated, his voice soft and careful. His eyes were watchful, and Legolas felt as though there was a hidden depth there, one that was not characteristic in most humans...but then again, this boy was not entirely human, as a result there were certain things to be expected...such as a less than human eye. It was not something that frightened Legolas, considering he had gone toe to toe with elves, and his father alone was more terrifying than most elves could wish to be. Not that many wished to be scary, at best they wished to be left alone and live in solitude...there were very few that were scary enough to warrant care and caution around, and most were lords and ladies, and had been historically lords and ladies of the lands. His grandfather, Orophim, was terrifying a warrior, and his son definitely carried on that trait. Legolas was not sure if he did, as well, but many said that they were reminded of his grandfather when he took to the battlefield, something which Legolas would consider a compliment.
"I know it is rather sudden, and I do not wish to frighten you, I am certain there is nothing amiss in your healing, my father is a paranoid person, and there are times when it is best to be safe, either way." The other nodded, accepting Legolas' input. Legolas, for the life of him, wished that the boy would do something other than just agree. It was clear he had some sort of noble blood...yet he was a withered away shell of his former self. Something had happened, and Legolas dreaded the confirmation of what it was. He would not ask...if only to save his own sanity than anything else. He hoped that the boy was able to overcome his mental battles, but Legolas knew himself how difficult that could be...and how unlikely.
"I am not frightened, or surprised...Just a bit confused, though that has nothing to do with you." Draco spoke...and Legolas was surprised. The other had taken to barely saying a word, even during his father's questioning. It was shocking to hear just one word, let alone an entire sentence. A part of him could not help but be happy about it, even though he knew it was likely Legolas' own benefit that the boy was speaking now. He had undoubtedly noticed anxiety and worked to correct it. The boy's voice was calm as ever, and there was extraordinarily little trace of emotion in it, but it was soothing, and had a song like quality that surprised Legolas. It was not something that he had heard prior...
"That is alright, I am glad you are not remiss about taking this trip. It makes things much easier. While the Mirkwood is quite danger ridden, perhaps you will be able to have a calmer soul at the house of Imladris...Lord Elrond's home is quite calming for most." Legolas neglected to mention he himself did not find it all that soothing, though this was mostly due to Elrond's own presence. The other saw too much, and it unnerved Legolas. Even though the Lord often drew slightly wrong conclusions about what he saw, something which Legolas was certain of, it was unnerving to have his dark gaze lit upon him for too long. It was scary...in a unique way from his father.
"When do we leave tomorrow?" Legolas straightened himself, placing one hand behind his back as he gave the boy a slight smile.
"Just before dawn. I will have someone come down and aid you if you need it...and I will personally escort you through the palace." The other bowed slightly, a sort of Defacto thanks. Legolas bit his tongue but wondered once again where these manners had come. As far as he was aware, there was no nobility missing through the realms of men, elves, or otherwise. Still, it would not be the first time such an occurrence was hidden from the public ear.