Fan Fiction ❯ Song of A Caged Bird ❯ Chapter 1

JC: Another story?! What about the other one?!

Kathrine: Jen and I couldn't wait, blame Ladya Maxine and Morgana for their wonderful stories that brought this to life.

JC: But we still have to get plenty of other stories, NOT start one!

Kathrine: Oh well, inspiration is dying for practically every other story we're working on. Maybe this will help get rid of the extra energy so we can focus.

JC: Better hope so…Fans are getting restless.

Kathrine: Now this one is really different, and soo AU, so be ready.

JC: Can't spoil anything though. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: We do not own LotR. Tolkien is God. Bow before his wonderful greatness!

Warnings: Slash, Dark themes, NCS-mentions/situations, TWINCEST!!!! (Elrohir/Elladan ROCKS!!) AU!!!! You hear me!!! Barely any Cannon AT ALL!!!!!!! Be prepared!!!!

Special Note: WE WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 11 OSCARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOTR RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But Orli wasn't there....

Song of a Caged Bird

By Jennifer and Kathrine

Chapter 1

A loud scream went out through the spring air, waking slumbering creatures from their nightly rest. It was the only scream to be heard that night, the only one loud enough to reach their ears. Children rushed to their parents in fear, not knowing what could cause such a blood-curdling sound. They were comforted instantly, but all knew that something had happened, something that was important even though they had yet to understand.

" That's it!" the Elven lord Elrond exclaimed, " Just one more push! Come, just do this one last shove, meleth-nin."

Filthy blonde hair matted to his lover's brow, blood trickled down from where he'd bitten deeply into his bottom lip and the cut above his eye. It was so hard; he was so tired. The labor had been proceeding for the last eight hours, since only a short while after sunset. But he knew he couldn't give up, his child needed to be born; Elrond had to make sure he was all right. After all that he'd endured he had not gone so far only to have his child die. And so he continued to push, though his body was riddled with fatigue and blood loss, he wouldn't give up now. He scrunched up his face, contorting his features in pain, and used what last bit of strength he could gather for his last push.

" Yes!" Elrond cried out and the healers behind him called out in relief. He quickly reached out; gently pulling the shoulders of his child from within the deep gash that had been formed as the birthing canal and then the rest of him. Next he cut the umbilical cord with a sterilized knife, severing the child after eight months of being bonded so completely to its 'mother'. He could clearly see the blonde downy hair that covered the child's head thoroughly already and immediately grabbed a birthing cloth to wrap him in.

He wiped the blood from his face and stared at the pale-complexioned skin. Strangely, he noted that the newborn elfling's eyes were closed, not open and taking in the first site of the world. Though, he knew now that it was indeed a boy. But why does he not open his eyes? He wondered. All newborns open their eyes once they are severed from their birth parent. But his child's eyes did not open.

" El-Ellll-r-ron-nd…" his lover called out to him weakly as two of the healers took to sewing shut the cavern where his child was laid. " H-how i-isss h-he?" The dark-haired elf did not answer him. He was still trying to reach out to his child with his spirit, to keep up the belief that they had not been too late. But he could feel nothing, the child's mind and spirit were deathly still.

" Adar." Elrond turned to his only daughter as she stood with her twin brothers at the back of the room. " We were in time, we have to have been! The shadow cannot have taken him!"

" I-I…" Elrond did not know what to say. Instead he turned his head back down to the inert form in his arm, the small child that he had helped to create through his bond with his lover. Suddenly in a very small and broken voice he said, " Call for Glorfindel and Mithrandir."

"I am here." A deep and knowing voice spoke from the doorway as it was forced open. A tall elderly bearded-man stepping into the room, his gray robes billowing around him as he hurried towards the master healer. " Where is the child?"

" Elrond!" his lover called to him again. " Please tell me what is going on? Where is our child?" From his position lying on his back on the healer's bed, the blonde could not see what going on and he was so tired that his eyes were drooping in fatigue, ready to fall and claim him with the deep healing sleep that he so rightfully needed.

The aged man took the child from the Elf-lord's arms, allowing him to go to his lover's side. He sat beside him on the bed and smoothed the sweat and tears and dirt that streaked his face away with a cool rag. " Wh-where is he?" the blonde repeated.

Elrond lowered his eyes allowing a lone tear to trek down his cheek and he sadly shook his head. Blue eyes were wide with disbelief, his worst fear being realized with that one act. " N-n-no," he stated, his body trembling. " It cannot be…The Valar would not…NO!" Suddenly he broke into tears, his emotions tearing him apart from the inside out. This couldn't be happening! This could not be true! " No! After everything…?! I would feel it in me! Tell me no, Elrond! Tell me no!"

" Thranduil…" The black-haired ruler of Imladris gently pulled his lover's head into his lap, letting him cry out his pain. He knew that there was nothing he could say that could make this better, nothing that could heal the wound that had been forged. All that he could do now was try to hold back his own pain. He could not allow himself to fall into darkness when his lover would undoubtedly lose himself to sorrow with this final tragedy of his life.

Meanwhile, Mithrandir held the child before him, studying the small babe as he could. Nothing seemed amiss with the elfling, save him pale countenance, which he could have easily acquired from his birth 'mother'. But he could also feel no life in the child, as if something was holding it back, pushing away the light that was meant to be at the heart of every Elven being. And he knew what that something was.

" Sauron had managed to block out his light," the gray-haired Istar stated. " He holds him to death with Darkness that he is too young to fight against."

" He's not dead?!" the twin sons of Elrond spoke in unison. Elrond's head snapped upward in disbelief.

" Can you not help him fight the Darkness?" Arwen asked him earnestly. " Is there nothing you can do?"

" Sauron's power is too great," he spoke sadly. " I am using my strength even now but he is blocking me effortlessly. My power is being rejected by the child for some reason."

" Rejected?" Elrohir, Elrond's youngest twin, repeated. " But how can he reject the healing power of a Maia?"

" I know not," Mithrandir replied. " But it is as if he senses who I am and chooses to run from me. The Darkness manipulates his spirit into believing I am to harm him in some way."

" You have to do something!" the blonde lying hysterical on the bed shouted. "We cannot lose him! I cannot lose him!"

" I am so sorry," he whispered. " But I no not how. I have never come across something like this before, especially in one so young. He will leave, slowly and with great toil though he shall not know it."

" NO!" Thranduil buried his head deeper into Elrond's lap, shaking his head pitifully. " Saes Elbereth, Iluvatar, do not let this happen. Do not send him to Mandos! Do not let him take my son! You have already claimed my wife and three of my children, and even now I am forced away from my fourth! Must you take HIM as well?!" He continued to cry, relying on his lover to hold him, to take the nightmare away. How could he be saved from one terror only to lose the light that had helped him through it? How could he survive? And what would happen to Elrond if he were gone? Would his children and people be strong enough to sustain him?

Elrohir pulled back into his brother's arms, seeking the comfort that only the other half of his soul could give him. Elladan had always been the more emotionally assured between them, the headstrong if often childish warrior, while he chose to follow his father more. He was a warrior, but knew his fate lay with the path of healing. He could not bear the sight of the great Crown Prince of Eryn Lasgalen, Thranduil, losing what was left of his great strength in such a way. Was there no justice after all he had endured?

Arwen remained standing beside them, her eyes transfixed on the baby in Mithrandir's arms. She had her mother's way of dealing with such dark times, remaining silent until it was her time to let out her grief and frustration. Now was her father and Thranduil's moment. She felt sadness over the tragedies that continued to 'grace' the Prince of Greenwood (at times called Mirkwood due to the darkness Sauron had once again settled there) throughout his entire life.

The blonde heir could not even remember his own mother let alone any other family he had besides his father Oropher King. The only Elf that claimed any relation near to him was Lord Celeborn of Lothlórien, who was also a fellow survivor of the fall of the great Doriath where Oropher and his son derived from. But the Lord wasn't as close to Thranduil as he wanted, credit going to Oropher himself.

The blonde Elven royal had been married a millennium and a half before, falling for a wonderful she-elf who was a known warrior for the Silvan elves his father had taken rule over. They had four wonderful children together, three ellyn and one elleth. But tragedy struck them instantly, their daughter, Goldhînen, was killed within her thirtieth autumn of life by an accident, the young elleth falling from the tree she was climbing when she was supposed to be taking her noontime rest. Her mother, Glorien, had been searching for her, but arrived only in time to watch her second eldest child fall to her demise.

Neither Thranduil nor Glorien ever recovered from their loss, but three hundred years later their third child, Lagorwest, was born. He had been a sprightly child, ever happy and yet watchful, and never able to be caught once he'd learned to walk properly. He had been the fastest runner in Greenwood and a great scout for the border patrols once he had come of age. That was until he had found his fate at the end of an Orc blade after being taken captive and tortured for four days during an attack he hadn't been able to report about in time.

Lagorwest had been a free spirit much like his mother and she had never forgiven herself for giving him permission to join the Greenwood border patrols. But ere Lagorwest's death had been the birth of their fourth child Glosshen two hundred years before. Glosshen had always looked up to his older brothers, especially the 'swift-breeze' that always brought him tales of the borders and had helped him train for the Greenwood military. He had taken his brother's death the worst. He had been lost and alone and closed in on himself, becoming very quiet and yet destructive. The white-haired elf was on a silent path to destruction without even realizing, or caring for that matter as long as he took down as many Orcs as he could with him.

It had been almost too much to bear when only three hundred years to the day, Thranduil's beautiful wife had been lost as well. Peace had reigned for two hundred years and they believed that they finally had beaten Sauron's minions back especially with the abandonment of Dol Guldur by the Necromancer, his most loyal of subjects. Not even Oropher had thought it wrong for her to travel to lower Greenwood to visit her family.

But they had been wrong. Two days into her journey she and her guard of twenty had been attacked by Orcs and Wargs. She had fought along side her people in defense, but they had been overrun. The Orcs were plenty and the Wargs bloodthirsty. They attempted to kill all but her. Seeing that she was their target let her know that they knew her as the wife of the Crown Prince. She was the last Elf left from the massacre and chose to take her own life rather than be used as a tool against her husband and family or be forced into the torture that Lagorwest had faced.

At the news of his wife's sacrifice, Thranduil had lost himself to grief. He almost gave in and crossed over to Mandos' Halls, and would have if not for the pleas of his remaining two children. He had returned to them, but was broken in spirit. It was under the insistence of Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel that something had to be done. The rulers of 'Lórien called for him to come to their Golden Wood in hopes that the Golden Lady might help heal his wounded soul an heart. And so, four hundred years after Glorien's death, Thranduil left Greenwood for the first time since before he'd been bonded.

A presence pulled Arwen from her recollections, as she thought of all that she had learned since her father and Thranduil had joined with each other. She turned towards the door and couldn't help the relief that she felt at the sight of the golden-haired elf standing there. Green eyes looked about in dismay, the news obviously having reached him. But his eyes trailed over Thranduil's breaking soul and Elrond's shattering heart, knowing that it was far worse than he'd imagined.

" Glorfindel…" Elladan greeted him solemnly. " We were too late."

The blonde held his pain at this in, not wanting to add to the grief that already smothered those within the room. At his arrival, the healers finally took their leave, shutting the door and leaving the royal family and close companions to themselves. Glorfindel walked over to bed and kneeled on the floor next to it, placing a reassuring hand on the knee of his long time friend as he stared deeply into the eyes of the black-haired peredhel's lover.

" I know there is not that I can say that would make this any easier to bear for you," he told him. Thranduil reached out, placing his own hand on the one that sat on Elrond's knee. Glorfindel had been a true friend to him in his time of need. He had supported after he'd reached Imladris, seeking refuge from his father's rage against his love for Elrond. The blonde had promised to remain his friend, even should he and Elrond come to break their bonding, should Elrond wish to return to his first love Celebrian when he sailed to Valinor.

Tears came form his eyes once more. " I cannot lose him," the blonde stated again. " I know not how I would survive should I lose him… He and Glosshen are all I have left."

" You have Elrond," Glorfindel reminded him. " And you shall need each other to get through this and I know you shall. The Valar do not do such things lightly, there is a reason for all of this, for all you have endured."

He stood then, turning away from his friends and walking towards Mithrandir. His eyes were only on the lifeless child that he held, for no breath came from his body. The newborn ellon was so tiny due to being born two months premature. Golden hair was full on his head, appearing soft from his perspective. The babe was pale and yet looked alive, for he had a peaceful expression on his face. He almost thought that if he touched the young one he would feel warmth and the beat of a heart instead of stillness and cold.

Tentatively, he reached out, stroking his fingers across a still damp brow and then through matted hair that was as soft as he had first believed, maybe even more so. After a moment, the skin beneath his hand warmed, and he shifted so his fingertips would coast a slightly chubby cheek. " Even a simple touch warms his skin," he murmured. " He must not be too far gone."

" What?" Mithrandir stared at him. " He feels warm to your hand?"

" Yes," the blonde nodded.

The wizard was indeed surprised, " But he was chilled as ice only moments ago. How now can you feel heat when Darkness has taken him?"

" I know not," he admitted.

The elderly-appearing man placed a hand to the child's brow immediately, feeling the slight warmth that radiated there suddenly beginning to recede. He pulled his hand back as if it was he himself who had burned. " Something has changed," he said. " The child reacts to Glorfindel's touch, but still repels against my own."

" But why?" Elladan asked as Thranduil slowly lifted himself onto his knees in complete attention.

" Mayhap is has to do with him being reborn," Elrond stated. " He was given new life by the Valar themselves and the Darkness has not yet faced it."

" Is that a good sign?" Thranduil asked. " Can that help?"

Mithrandir shook his head in confusion. " It might not, and yet it also might be the very thing needed to save him before it is truly too late to do so."

" How can I help?" Glorfindel asked. " What would you need of me to save this child's life?"

" There are two choices we might take, one that is riddled with uncertain danger and the other that would change your very life and his as well should it work," the gray-haired man replied.

" What? What must I do?" The Balrog Slayer was becoming frustrated with anxiety. If there were indeed something in his power that could save Thranduil and Elrond's child, then by Elbereth he would do it!

" The first would be to allow me to channel my power through you into the child to vanquish the Darkness that eats away at him," Mithrandir said solemnly.

" And what is so dangerous about such a transfusion?" Arwen inquired. " How perilous is it?"

" Glorfindel's body might not be able to withstand the power being sent through him," Elrond knew the risks. " He could die or become severely harmed by trying such a folly, or both he and the child could be lost."

" No," Thranduil shook his head. " I will not have your life at risk in such a way, Glorfindel, not when it is so unsure that both you and he would survive!"

" Then the other way?" the blonde seneschal turned to his Istar friend. " What is it? What are its risks?"

Mithrandir was very silent for a moment, his eyes on the child before turning to stare straight into the green orbs that sought answers to their questions. " It is something quite dangerous indeed," he stated. " I must know now how you willing you are to face something so life-altering and to bear the burden many others would turn away."

Glorfindel thought for a moment, How dangerous could it be compared to risking my life and that of the child? Would I be so willing as to turn this innocent Elfling away and watch him fade? Would I be willing to watch Elrond and Thranduil suffer? He that his mind was already made up, his choice had been made.

" Anything, if that is what it takes I will do so," his decision echoed loudly throughout the room as it was final and set.

*****

He held his child tightly to him, rejoicing in his warmth and the sound of his breaths and the feel of his heartbeat against his chest. The babe suckled on his breast, happily eating his midday meal. He still thought it strange when his son fed, not completely used to the breasts that had developed in order to nurture him. But Elrond had told him they would fade once their son was old enough to eat other food as a sign to wean him from them.

" Oh Legolas tithen-nin," he smiled down at the blonde head of his child. Gray-blue eyes turned to look up into his own blue, eyes that he never thought would ever be able to see. It had only been four days since he had almost lost his son, four days since Glorfindel had made the greatest sacrifice of his life. Due to the procedure, the blonde could feel the child and Legolas him in turn, but Mithrandir had blocked their connection so as to not awaken concerns in the Elfling until he was old enough to understand. Glorfindel wanted the ellon to be able to grow up as normal as he could, without the worries of his future.

" Never leave me," he whispered to his child. " I'll protect you, so will your Ada and Glorfindel and your siblings. No harm will ever come to you. You will never have to face the horrors that I have. I will die before I let that happen." Legolas finished eating and gave a small burp of his own before settling against his 'mother' and drifting away to sleep. Thranduil felt his heart swell with love for his son.

" One day," he swore. " I will find a way to bring Glosshen here so you can meet him, your brother needs you as much as I do."

He heard the swaying of the thick cloth that covered the nursery door and turned his head towards it. His face brightened at the sight of who had come to visit him. " Good day, Glorfindel," he nodded his head in greeting. " I knew it was nearing time that you would visit me."

The reborn seneschal made sure to visit him three times a day at least. Once in the morning, once right after noonday meal, and the last around time for sleep. He claimed that he wanted to keep an eye on him when Elrond could not, especially after all that had transpired. But truthfully, he knew it was to visit Legolas just as much, if not more. It was obvious that the sacrifice he'd made had already taken an effect on him. Only four days later and he was continuously checking on the babe's well being.

" How are you two this fine day?" he inquired.

" I am fine and Legolas has just fallen asleep after filling himself," Thranduil reported. " He is not hungry very often and never cries, I know he will be a very quiet child when he grows, though I hope him to be very open and happy as well."

" If he appears too reserved, Elladan and Elrohir will cure him of it," he replied with a smile. " Those two will never allow him to brood. They always wanted a younger brother to teach their ways of mischief. Arwen was too much like her mother for such things, for the most part anyway."

" Has Erestor returned from Lothlórien?" he asked. " I heard that he should be back today with more books for the Lore Library."

" Are you that bored?" Glorfindel laughed.

" You try remaining trapped in this bed for four days and another two after!" he huffed. " I have never done well with being tied to a bed."

" You need to heal, and not just from the birth," his friend cautioned him. " Elrond worries for your health constantly. Indulge him in this until he has given his approval of your recovery."

The Prince of Mirkwood gasped in disbelief. " You would have me chained here until Legolas' majority!"

" Well-" his words were cut short by the dark-haired she-elf that entered the room.

" My lords," the servant bowed instantly. " I have a message from Lords Elrond and Erestor."

" So he has returned," Thranduil nodded. " Give us your message."

" Lord Erestor arrive today with three Elves not of his original company with him," she told them. " They are from Mirkwood and ask for Lord Thranduil's presence for they have a message to deliver."

" Mirkwood?" Glorfindel was shocked. They had heard nothing from the forest kingdom for over two months, since before the incident that had led to death of Thranduil's eldest son, Thôredhel, (and later on his premature labor of Legolas) when they had received a letter of well-wishing from Glosshen. What could the Greenwood King want from them? Or was it another letter by Glosshen?

" Unfortunately, Lord Thranduil has been confined to his bed," he told her.

" This I know," she nodded. " I merely inquire if he feels fit to have them visit him in this room or shall they wait?"

" No," Thranduil shook his head immediately. " I want to see them now, their message must be urgent if they have traveled so far just after the thaw."

" I see," the she-elf nodded before hurrying on her way out the door to relay her lord's decision.

The Prince of Greenwood covered his revealed body with his tunic since Legolas was asleep and settled his son more securely against his chest. He sat up straighter and try to appear and regal as his normal self, despite the fact that he had a child cradled in his arms and was sitting the bed of the nursery wing.

" Help me up Glorfindel," he told him. " I want to sit on the divan."

" But Elrond said…"

" I wish not for the messengers of my people to report to my father that I am confined to a bed with the child of the one he so despises," the blonde frowned. " He already has enough to use against me as he refuses to allow Glosshen to leave Greenwood under any circumstances and his despise for my Greenleaf is already great as is."

" All right," the Balrog slayer agreed, gently and cautiously helping Thranduil to get out of the bed, trying his best not to irritate the stitches that had not fully healed on the other blonde's abdomen. He allowed him to lean against his side and he led him over to the well-cushioned divan before lowering him down so that he sat with his back against both the back of the couch and the arm. He then hurried over to the bed and removed one of the lighter but still warm blankets. Draping it over Thranduil and Legolas, he sighed knowing the Elrond would not be happy about this.

That was when the curtain was completely pushed aside, Elrond, Mithrandir, and Erestor stepping into the room and three more Elves following right behind them, obviously the ones from Greenwood. " Mae govannen, Thranduil-Ernil," they spoke in unison as they bowed in acknowledgment of their one and only heir to the throne.

" 'Tis good to see you again Malto," the Sinda Elf greeted the one elf he knew from the three, he was one of the most loyal Elves he'd ever met and had served his father well for millennia. They had grown up together in the Greenwood.

" As I you," he nodded in returned. " But I bring two messages that were both given to me of utter importance." He motioned to the satchel at his side and opened it, pulling out two rolled parcels, one seemingly blank, while the other carried the beech leaf crest of Mirkwood.

He stepped forward and presented the two parchments to the blonde before stepping back into line with his fellow Silvan. Elrond took to his lover's side and removed Legolas from his care, allowing him to look at the messages in curiosity. " It was said to me that you should read to plain one first," Malto relayed. " I believe it of importance, concerning the latter."

Thranduil nodded and did as he was informed, opening the simple letter first. His eyes widen as he recognized the script to be Glosshen's and he read on, his eyes slowly becoming more depressed and confused.

/Father,

I only hope that you read this first, as I have instructed Malto to tell you. Grandfather knows not of this letter, but I felt that you must know. Times are becoming dark in the Greenwood, not due to Sauron, but because of Oropher King. He is still enraged by your choice to continue on with your love for Elrond. While I rejoice at this, he seeks to make all suffer for what he sees a disgrace to our family. And now he seeks to make the child you carry suffer as well. I only hope that Thôredhel finds joy in watching you grow to the size of a plump melon. I heard of rumors of something terrible overcoming you, but I know not what to believe, my dreams will not speak to me of this. I do hope that you are well and that I will find a way to be there for the birth of my brother. The visions I see speak well of him, but shadow blends in until there is no more. Please be careful Adar-nin, I know not what shall befall you or what intentions it has. And what out for Thôredhel, I fear for him greatly these pass coming weeks.

Your ion,

Glosshen /

His eyes were on the verge of tears. Glosshen knew something was wrong and yet he still did not know that his brother, Thôredhel was dead, or that he had already given birth to Legolas. And what evil had befallen his son due to Oropher's anger towards him? When was this letter written before reaching him? He now felt a dire need for his son, he knew not how, but he indeed needed to get to Glosshen, or find a way to get him there.

" What is wrong, melethron-nin?" Elrond asked him.

" It's from Glosshen," he answered. " He does not yet know all that has happened. He wishes me well with my pregnancy and hopes that Thôredhel is well."

Those who knew what had occurred, were taken back by the words. They all had long come to accept things, even Thranduil had come to accept the death of his eldest son though it was still such a short time ago, but it seemed that his second youngest still did not know the horrible truth. How could he not know since his elder brother's body had been sent back to Mirkwood for the ritual of burning? When had this letter been written?

" The second letter?" Mithrandir inquired. " No doubt it is from Oropher himself."

" Yes lord Istar," Malto confirmed, "But I know not its contents."

" I see," he whispered as he slowly pulled the parchment from the golden ring that bore the royal seal. He then rolled it out and read it.

/ It is time to see sense ion-nin,

I will no longer allow actions to be taken by you when they are more fit for that of an elfling barely into their majority. You will return from the realm of that incompetent Elrond Half-breed or be stripped of your title as the Crown Prince of Eryn Lasgalen and as my son. All that are loyal to you will be thrown out of the Greenwood and your son will take your place at a trial for high treason against the crown. Do not be coy with me, my Thranduil. This is not a threat, only a warning of what may come should you chose your path unwisely. You have duties here that can no longer be ignored and I will no longer stand you dishonor.

Oropher King

I await your return my son, we have much to discuss and come to term with. /

His eyes widened at those words. He hasn't given up, he realized. And now he seeks to use all those I care for against me if I should not listen? Oh Glosshen, what have you faced that you have decided against telling me of? Are you well, ion-nin? He couldn't go back. But if he did not than his son and all those he had left behind would fall prey to his father's anger. Was he truly willing to do such a thing to them?

He knew then that his choice was made. He did not ask for me to dissolve my love for Elrond, he tried to reassure himself. He only asks that I return home. But he was no fool; he knew what awaited him upon his reentry to the Greenwood. Was he willing to sacrifice this? And Legolas, the elfling was days old, certainly not even near old enough to be parted from him. What would become of the child should he make the wrong choice?

" I shall be ready to depart for the Greenwood of my father by tomorrow morn," he announced. Elrond gasped in shock and Glorfindel looked ready to shake him from his stupidity.

" You're what?!" Erestor exclaimed, " After he threatened you with death for carrying Elrond's child?!"

" Why go back?" Mithrandir asked him seriously. Thranduil turned his eyes to the old Maia, the only one who truly knew his other reasons for fleeing the Wood of his home when he found himself to be two months pregnant with Legolas.

" I have duties I must perform," he slowly stood and stepped away from the others.

" Thran-" Glorfindel's words were cut off as he was pushed back by the Prince of Mirkwood.

The blonde Sinda made his way to the still-going fire that kept the early spring chill from invading the room. With that he threw in both of the letters, the one from Glosshen, and the one from his father.

" What are you doing?!" Elrond asked. " Thranduil was is going on?" Erestor took this moment to usher the three guests from the room, no doubt so that they could be fed and find fresh clothing.

" I must leave Elrond," his lover replied. " I do not ask you to understand, but I must go. I will return, it is only now that I realize how selfish I have been. My people need me, only I can stem the anger my father feels and I will not leave them when the Shadow comes for them… I must return to Eryn Lasgalen."

" But meleth," the dark-haired peredhel countered. " Will you leave our son when he so deeply needs you?"

" No, I shall bring him with me," he explained.

" What?!" Glorfindel was even more shocked than before. "He is far too young to make the journey! You yourself are not even well enough to do so!"

" Please see reason my love!" Elrond insisted. " You cannot go!"

" And yet I must and I cannot leave him here," he retorted. "As I said, I shall return. I go only to help my people and to somehow come to a truce with my father. Maybe the sight of Legolas will heal whatever break there is between us. Then I shall return to you. I shall write to you every month and always think of you, peredhel-nin."

" Please…" Elrond tried to speak, but pale fingers silenced his lips.

Thranduil leaned into his lover's chest, wrapping his arms around him. " Please, do not fight me over this, I would not have our short parting be so bitter and regretted. I am NOT leaving you. Imladris has become my home and I shall forever think of it as so. But I cannot always think of myself, just as you cannot. I do this for my people and those I love still residing in Eryn Lasgalen. Saes, just wait and then you will not even realize how long we have been gone for we will return just as quickly. We should be back by the Summer Festival at the latest."

Elrond saw the tears in the blonde's eyes and knew that this was hard for him as well. He continued to hold his child in one arm as his lover ran a finger down the small cheek. He almost asked for him to leave Legolas there with him, but he knew he could not. Glosshen would need the comfort of his brother, especially when he learned of Thôredhel's passing. And Thranduil had come so close to losing their son countless times, it would be cruel of him to separate them for any undue amount of time.

" Please hurry back as soon as possible," the dark-haired lord pleaded in a soft voice. " And do not let your father pressure you, Imladris will always be waiting for you…I will always be waiting for you and our son."

" Hannon lle," Thranduil thanked him with a smile. Elrond kissed his brow and slowly led him back to the bed, pushing him down.

" Now rest," he commanded gently. " I shall make sure all you will need is fully prepared by morning. Today has been tiring and you need your rest, I shall see to Legolas."

The blonde seemed reluctant to agree. He didn't want Legolas out of his sight. But Elrond would be losing his son the next day, he needed time with him to feel less threatened by their departure. " Make sure that he eats an hour after he wakes up or he'll have an upset stomach," he reminded him. " And that he has his juice for the afternoon. And…"

The Lord of Imladris laughed, a smile on his lips and his mate's overprotective attitude concerning their child. " Do not fret for I did help take care of the Twins and Arwen when they were babes," he assured drowsy Elf. " Now sleep." Thranduil did so quickly, succumbing to his fatigue as he lost himself, his eyes becoming glazed in Elven dreams.

Elrond watched as Glorfindel, who had remained silent for quite some time, pulled the blankets over Thranduil's body and tucked them around him. He then moved around the bed and towards the cloth-door, his lord following after him. Elrond exited the nursery and made sure the tapestry was in place correctly, knowing that it wouldn't be long before…

" How could you give him permission to go?!" Glorfindel was angrier than he'd seen him in some time, that only sprouting from the endangerment of those he cared deeply for. Too many had the Balrog Slayer lost, from the fall of Gondolin to the last great battle versus the evil Sauron and his minions. The blonde was highly protective of the loved ones he had left, even though he still tried to come off as caring less than he did to most.

" I could not tell him otherwise when he was so right," his companion stated. " He has duties as a prince and his father has finally allowed him to return home. He needs to be reunited with Glosshen and knows that his people need him to stem Oropher's anger. I could not deny him when I would do the very same in his position."

Glorfindel was still not pleased, though it was obvious that he understood more by the look in his eyes. " But why allow him to take Legolas?" he inquired.

Ah, now to the root of this… " Because our son will need him, and Thranduil needs him, much more than I will," he sighed. " I could not bear to part them after all he has been through." He looked down at the child in his arms, so tiny, so vulnerable, so needing for love and devotion. He knew that his son would have that if he had it in his power to give and more.

Suddenly, a strange darkness settled over his heart, something forcing him to hold his child closer, as if afraid to let him go. He did not know where this sense of danger and apprehension that assaulted originated from, but he felt it deeply all the same.

" What is wrong, mellon-nin?" the Elf-lord beside him asked in concern. " What shadow falls?"

" I know not," he whispered, pressing his lips to his son's brow. " But I believe I want my son with me and Thranduil tonight."

" Have you had Dreams as of late?" Glorfindel questioned. " Mayhap they would have some answers."

" Nay," he shook his head. " Strangely, my mind has been blank. It is almost as if no light will shine upon my mind as I sleep. I have not had a dream, be it normal or otherwise since that particular one all that time ago."

" Could it be the reason why you hands no longer Heal?" he wondered. " Something is blocking your energy, keeping it within you."

" I am not sure," he admitted. " But I will face it as I may. No darkness shall befall my family again if I have the means to prevent it and breaths still flow into my lungs." A hand tug at his hair and he looked down.

Legolas had awakened during the conversation as they traveled down the hall. His lips were curved in a toothless smile, though his eyes spoke of wisdom. There was something about that was different. It had been since the day he was born. It was almost as if by ridding him of the Darkness that had threatened to steal his soul, he had gained a strange understanding that one his age should not have been able to hold.

" He is so beautiful," Glorfindel whispered, his eyes trained on the silent babe. " He will capture many hearts when he nears majority and most likely break most of them as well."

" I do hope that his is well guarded," Elrond gazed at him, the unspoken statement clear to them both.

" Not even a Balrog could harm it," Glorfindel swore.

" Then he is truly blessed indeed," his friend smiled placing his forefinger into the gray/blue-eyed Elfling's petite hand. " I only pray to the Valar that he is blessed in more than just that in his life."

*****

He didn't want to let them leave. As he stood there holding his son, watching his lover be helped onto his chestnut steed by Glorfindel, Elrond felt not for the second time since the day before the strange sense of apprehension he felt. He feet were rooted to the ground, though he so dearly desired to beg to Thranduil to stay, to remain safe in Imladris with him and to keep Legolas in his arms for as long as the Valar allowed.

But he said nothing, merely watched. It was almost as if his body had forgotten how to move and remained stationed until it could recall such simple mobility. How could he let them go? How could he let them leave his life like this? This is not forever, he reminded himself not for the first time. They will return by the Summer Festival at the latest. They are NOT leaving me!

" Elrond, meleth-nin," Thranduil called to him. He looked up and could tell easily that his lover was uncomfortable by his position on his horse, though he also appeared pleased to sitting on his long-time trusted friend. He finally remembered what it meant to actually move as he walked to the horse that the Crown Prince sat upon, carefully handing his child, their son, up to him. Thranduil smiled gratefully as he tucked Legolas into the pouch made of cloth and leather covering so that he could still hold onto the horse and yet not lose the babe either.

" I will return by the time the tree lilies bloom for the season," he promised him. " I would never be able to stand staying away for any longer amount of time."

" Then leave quickly so that your return will be all the sooner," the lord of Imladris murmured. " And I would not feel such a compelling wish to call you back to me. Amin mela lle."

The blonde looked as if he wanted to say more, but feared doing so. It would only make their departure all that more difficult. He felt cold almost, knowing that he was willingly walking away form the warmth of Elrond's arms, no matter whether it be for a few months or forever. He steeled himself, reminding his heart that he would have to reeducate himself in how it would be proper to act around his father, for such shows of emotion were not wholly welcome. He would have to practice being his former, cold and reserved self before he reached Eryn Lasgalen.

He turned the horse away, not noticing the way that Legolas' arms reached out from within the carrier, extending towards his other father quietly. Elrond saw this, but did nothing, knowing it would only hurt more if he did. " Namarie, melethron-nin," Thranduil called to him as he lead the way out of Imladris' protective walls. An escort of twenty would be coming with them for most of the way, only breaking off with them at the Lothlórien borders where they would take a two day rest before continuing on to Greenwood. Elrond felt his heart constrict as he watched two of the most important people in his life ride away, a single tear falling from one eye.

" 'Tis all right, Ada," Elrohir placed a comforting hand upon his shoulder. " You will see them again."

" That is what causes such dread in me, ion-nin," Elrond replied. " It feels as if I will never see them again." But it was done, and there was nothing he could do as they headed off into the early morning towards their destination…

*****

" And then what happened?" the young blonde Elfling asked.

" Well they came to Greenwood," the much older white-haired Elf replied.

" No!" the young one shook his head. " Did Thranduil ever go back to Elrond? What was the magic that saved the baby? What did Glorfindel do? Did Legolas ever see him again? What happened when they reached Mirkwood? Did Thranduil's father forgive him? Please tell me, muindor!" He jumped slightly on the bed, awaiting his answers earnestly.

" Calm down!" the elder laughed. " Those are tales for another night. For now it is time for bed, pen-neth."

" But I HAVE to know what happens between Legolas and Glorfindel!" he cried out. " You never truly said how he saved him or why he cared about him so much even though he was only a baby. Your story is greatly lacking in many details, Glosshen."

" And look who seems so grown," the Mirkwood Elf smiled. " Especially for one who is only forty-five."

" But you have told me this story since I can remember and yet you never finish," he whined.

" Mayhap it be that I have not seen the ending transpire yet, Legolas?" Glosshen pointed out. " Until then you will just have to wait. Now to bed with you."

The blonde Elfling pouted, but obediently climbed under his slightly rough but warm blankets. " I still want to know," he finally said. " All fairy tales have endings."

" Well how do all the others end?" Glosshen asked.

" With everything coming out wonderful and the heroes living happily ever after," Legolas replied. " Everyone knows that."

" Then why should this one be any different?" he wondered.

" Because it is different," the blonde told him. " It's better than the others."

" Then you'll just have to wait for the ending," his brother told him, the same thing he told him every time he had told the younger Elf the story.

" Will I get to see Ada tomorrow?" Legolas asked suddenly, changing the subject instantly.

The white-haired elf was quiet for a moment. " I do not know," he answered truthfully. " I will have to ask the King tomorrow."

" I haven't seen him in so long," the child seemed depressed by this. Glosshen understood perfectly. Legolas hadn't seen his father in three months, not uncommon since he'd become old enough to be taken care of by others, which was about forty-three years ago. It had only been within the past twenty-five that Oropher King of Mirkwood, once the beautiful Greenwood, had deigned for Legolas to no longer have contact with Thranduil without his permission and or supervision of one of his most trusted guard or advisors. As it was the child wasn't allowed to leave his designated wing of the palace, far from the Royal Quarters and any other being living in the great mountain castle.

But that didn't take away the bond the ellon had with Thranduil. Before the decree had been sent out by Oropher the Crown Prince had done whatever was needed if it would by him time to spend with his child. They had forged a loving and caring connection that not even the King could denounce or destroy. But he never stopped trying, it was only time before something happened. Glosshen worried terribly about what that something would be, but his Dreams spoke nothing of it.

" Glosshen?" Legolas called him to after he tucked him in for the night.

" Yes, muindor tithen?" he gave him his full attention.

" I wonder what it would be like if Ada really HAD been my birth parent and Elrond really WAS my Adar," he spoke. "I wish he was real. It would be splendid to meet him. Or Glorfindel, I would love to meet Glorfindel! He is the bravest Elf ever! He's the most wonderful as well. Well…besides Ada anyway."

" I'm glad you think so," he smiled, although sadly.

" I do wish they were real, I wish they all were real," Legolas sighed. His elder brother climbed into the bed beside him, wrapping his arms around him. He then began to rock him back and forth.

" As do I," Glosshen agreed as he slowly lured the young Elfling into sleep. " Much more than you know."

Meleth-nin : my love

Adar : Father; Ada : Dad, Daddy, Papa

Saes : Please

Eryn Lasgalen : Greenwood the Great (AKA Mirkwood)

Ellyn : Males Elves; singular - Ellon

Elleth : Female Elf

Legolas tithen-nin : My little Legolas

Mae govannen, Thranduil-Ernil : Well met, Thranduil Prince

Ion : Son; Ion-nin : My son

Melethron-nin : My lover

Hannon lle : Thank you

Mellon-nin : My friend

Amin mela lle : I love you

Namarie : Goodbye, Farewell

Muindor : Brother

Pen-neth : Young one

Kathrine: MORE!!! MUST WRITE MORE!!!

JC: They're already working on the next chapter.

Kathrine: I hope this pulled you in already. Please be patient, next out is definitely LotR/PotC crossover.

JC: Now if only she would stop writing the next chapter of this we COULD work on it!

Kathrine: (smacks her in the back of the head) Shut up!

JC: Just review so she'll get back on track.

Kathrine: But I am falling in love with this story! There is definite drama in the next chapter!

JC: More later, as soon as possible.