Chapter 41
Thranduil had decided to do so. Perhaps it was the curiosity which flooded his veins that caused him to decide upon the rash course of action, perhaps it was something more. He just wanted to know what power lurked beneath the boy's skin. Hidden from the rest of them. It was not everyday that Thranduil found a creature that came waltzing in along with his son interesting. Though, again, it was not exactly very often that his son had people with him from outside Mirkwood. Which reminded him, he still needed to punish his wayward behavior. Running off without informing him. He had been light on the boy, but perhaps a bit of reminding would go over well enough. He loved Legolas, though it was difficult at times for him to show it, he did care for him. It was things like these that had him churning however. He did have to admit, Legolas had quite a lot of guts to go against his directives. It was lucky enough that he had managed to figure out where he was and send him the missive.
It also helped that he knew that the other boy was protective over him. Haldir, he would simply keep away from the entire exchange. Not that he would do anything, even if he wanted to. Thranduil knew that Haldir would not dare get involved in the aspects of the Royal family, he was just curious to see what Draco would do. The boy was protective, if nothing more. It would seem that his magic relied on his emotions, and therefore the best way to draw it out, so that Thranduil could see it and possibly even assess what form of magic it was was to drastically increase the weight of those emotions. The best way Thranduil figured for him to do that...Perhaps a bit cruel, but it was not unknown that he was cruel in his rulings.
"Father, you want to what?" Legolas stared at his father with shock, though he supposed it should not be so much of one. He knew that his father was curious about the boy, and this would be why. Legolas had known of his magic but he had not really seen it in play. Draco did not often use it, preferring to keep to the sidelines, though he did use it in emergencies. He was powerful enough to keep a low profile, something which Legolas would admit had been quite wise, especially considering the fact that Gandalf was wary of him in the first place.
"You heard me the first time, do not make me repeat myself." Thranduil said, cutting a dark look towards his son who bowed his head, at war with himself. Ever his father, but first and foremost his King.
"Yes, your Majesty," He said this softly, resigned to his fate. He knew that once his father wanted something, he would stop at no ends to get it. It was simply...the way things were. He would prefer to be able to lessen the likelihood of this plan of his father's having some sort of damage. Not that he was really capable of doing so in the first place. Mitigating his father's sources of anger were not easy, and Thranduil's anger was not obvious all of the time. It often simmered, for long ages before it finally crested.
At least he was lucky of one thing. Thranduil was curious about Draco, which likely meant that he would not hurt or kill him. That was positive, at least he did not have to worry about that. Perhaps he should have thought things through a bit more before dragging Draco along with him. Not that it would have done any good. Thranduil had ordered him to bring the boy with him, and Legolas knew better than to go against a directive from his King. Much less when he had already defied the elf lord once even going on the mission without informing him. He knew that it would not be the end of it, despite the implications. His father was not one to let such disobedience simply go unpunished. While, settling Draco in was part of his punishments, it was his duty either way. Not being allowed to leave Mirkwood was yet another form of his punishment, but he was not surprised that his father was also taking it out on Draco.
Legolas cared for Draco, in perhaps a non-traditional way, and his father would be able to see that. This was just as much about curiosity over the magic that Draco held as it was punishing him for his defiance and disobedience and reckless behavior. A two in one situation. He both stimulated Draco to cause the boy to release his magic, and therefore got to see the magic that he had in action, which Legolas would admit he was curious about too given the fact that he had not really seen him use it all that often, and Legolas was punished by seeing Draco forced between two uncomfortable choices, something which would hurt him as well.
He should have suspected something like this would happen, but yet again his father was above him in his mind. He would never begin to be capable of grasping that thought process. His father always did what he felt was correct, and at times, added things just for his own amusement. This would be one of those times. It was not as though his father would ever lay a hand on him, nor would he allow another to do the same, but perhaps, this mental anguish was worse than that. Perhaps...perhaps but Legolas refused to dwell on such things. It was useless.
Furthermore his father would be capable of picking up on his thoughts should he tarry on them for too long, given that he was standing besides his King and the throne with his head bowed slightly, his father's fingers curling upon the back of his neck as they waited for Draco to enter. He was in a rather precarious position at this point in time, and Legolas definitely did not need to add to his father's wrath.
He knew that his father was aware of his other transgressions upon entering the Palace once more as well. There was no way that he was not, with the way the nails dug just so into the skin. Not enough to hurt, but enough to indicate that he knew everything. Then again, when did Thranduil not know everything that happened within the Palace, and within the bordered of Mirkwood, and even beyond?