Wrath and ruin

"You do not need to look so nervous, Legolas," Arwen said, taking him by the arm as they walked slowly towards the King's chambers.

"I am not," Legolas lied. Lord Elrond had informed them earlier that day that the King was now happy to see Lady Arwen, and that they could call upon the King at their pleasure. Legolas was doubtful and confused at his father's change of heart. Only yesterday he had seen his father, and he had looked little better. Perhaps the King has had a change of heart, but Legolas still did not like the idea of Arwen seeing his father like that.

Lord Elrond stood outside the door of the King's chambers as they approached, and smiling encouragingly.

"Good afternoon Ada," Arwen smiled.

"It is indeed," Lord Elrond said, opened the door and gestured for them to enter, "Please. The King is waiting."

Legolas followed Lord Elrond and the Lady Arwen into the room. The afternoon sunlight cast golden puddles upon the wooden floor. The King sat on the side of the bed looking out of the window, his right side facing the small party. The King turned to them as they entered.

"Lady Arwen," he said, using the bed post to pull himself to his feet, "What a pleasure it is to see one so fair. You must forgive my shuffling feet and shaky hands, for still I am not wholly myself, despite your father's best efforts." The King gave a slight bow of his head toward Arwen, who in turn returned the gesture.

"I do believe you look quite well, my Lord," Arwen said, "Given all your recent trials. Legolas painted a picture quite grim, but I believe he over-exaggerated."

"Most certainly," replied the King, "Please, do take a seat," he said, and slowly made his way to the table and sat down. Arwen and Lord Elrond followed and did as bid.

"Legolas?" Lord Elrond said.

The Prince stood dumbstruck near the doorway. He had found himself quite unable to move ever since his father had stood up and turned to face them. There was some slight bruising and a feint scar below the King's left eye, as well as above his left jawline, but the injuries that had been so ghastly and glaringly obvious the day before were now vanished.

"There are chairs enough," the King said, his voice drawing Legolas from his thoughts.

"Yes," Legolas said and he sat between Lord Elrond and his father.

For some time, the party sat. Food and wine were brought to the table and shared. Lord Elrond, Lady Arwen and the King talked and laughed, but Legolas sat quietly. He did not understand. What magic had healed his father?

As the sun began to set, and the puddles of golden light shrunk and disappeared, Lord Elrond suggested that they take their leave. Legolas noticed a quick look between the the Healer and his father, and wondered if Arwen had seen it too.

"Legolas, I would have you stay a little longer," the King said, as Legolas stood up.

"Yes," the Prince said, sitting down again.

The King stood up and bid goodnight to Lady Arwen, who left the room with her father. Legolas stood up again, feeling silly to be the only one sitting. He had felt silly all afternoon, as though his father, Arwen and Lord Elrond all knew something that he did not.

"Ada," Legolas began as soon as they were alone.

"Come, sit here," the King said, shuffling back to the bed, and sitting down with a sigh. He pulled his legs up and threw the blanket over the top. Thranduil rested his head back against the pillows and closed his eyes. Legolas sat down on the bed beside his father.

"Ada, I do not understand how…"

"Was it not a good surprise?" Thranduil asked.

"Yes, only, I - how? How is this possible?"

"With much effort," Thranduil said, opening his eyes and propping himself up.

"I did not know Lord Elrond could," Legolas said, trailing off.

"It is no doing of Lord Elrond's," Thranduil said, "No doing but my own."

"How?" Legolas was at a loss for words.

"As I said, ion-nin, with much effort. I have been practising with Lord Elrond for the past few days, but never have I kept up the mask for as long as this afternoon."

"Why not tell me sooner?" Legolas asked.

"We were not sure it would work," Thranduil explained, "Or, if so, how well. Lady Arwen knew what we were trying."

"You should have told me," Legolas pouted.

A small smile crept upon the King's lips. "No harm was meant, Legolas. It was my idea not to tell you. Lord Elrond would of had it otherwise, but I wanted it to be a secret," Thranduil reached across and gently took Legolas's hand. "Incase it didn't work," he said softly, looking at his son's hand, instead of his eyes.

Legolas considered all this for a moment. "Is it real?"

"Feel it."

Legolas reached to touch his father's face, and then hesitated. The sight of his father so disfigured was still too clear in his mind. To see him like this, pale and bruised, but whole - surely it was but a dream. Legolas caught his father's eye, and saw such longing that Legolas could not help but reach forward and touch his father's face. "It is real," Legolas breathed.

"It is magic," Thranduil said.

"It has not healed your sight," Legolas said, brushing his finger lightly across his father's eyelid. Thranduil closed his eyes at Legolas's touch.

"How could you tell?" he asked.

"The way you move your head," Legolas said, "It's - I can tell you still cannot see."

"No," Thranduil confessed, "But Lord Elrond said that he hopes in time, that too will come to be."

Legolas leant forward towards his father, their heads close to touching. Legolas wanted to wrap his arms around Thranduil, and for his father to return to gesture; to feel his father's beating heart, his breathing, as he had when he had been a child. But those years were long past, and Legolas was aware that underneath his father's opulent dressing gown were the bandages that held his injured body together. Legolas and Thranduil looked at one another, knowing that this closeness could not be replicated once Thranduil sat once more upon the throne. At once, each remembered their position as King and Prince. Legolas sat up, straightening his back, whilst to the King's softened features returned his usual hardened resolve.

"I will let you rest," Legolas said, "No doubt Lord Elrond shall soon return."

"Yes," the King replied. "Soon I shall meet with my council. I would have you in attendance."

Legolas stood up and gave a stiff nod. "Good night," he said, and headed for the door.

"Legolas," Thranduil said. Legolas stopped and turned back to his father. "I would," Thranduil began, and then stopped. I would do it again if it meant I would save you, he had meant to say, but the words caught in his throat. "Bid you good night," he finished lamely.

Legolas gave another nod, then departed, closing the door behind him and leaving the King alone.