Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to the Tolkien estate. The
original characters and plot are the property of the author. No profit is being
made.

A/N: Yes, I'm still among the living! All I can say is that my life has been
crazy for several years. I haven't stopped writing, though, and you may expect
periodic updates from here on out. And yes, I know the formatting's wonky. I'm afraid it was a choice of posting it like this or not at all. I no longer have internet access at home expect via my cell phone so I have to make do with what I have.

The sun's first rays had just begun illuminating the room when Thranduil awoke.
He ran a hand across his eyes and took a visual survey of the room. Legolas was
still deep in reverie, Gimli snoring in the chair beside his bed. Elrond's sons
where nowhere to be seen, but he had expected them to be seeing to Serai after
last night's traumas to the child. Luinloth also was not in evidence, nor were
any of the hobbits. They must be fetching breakfast for all of us, he mused. So
much the better, as he needed to heed nature's urgings and it galled his pride
to allow anyone, even Luinloth, to assist him in doing so.

Slowly, he levered himself into a sitting position, and then onto his feet.
Holding onto furniture for support, he made his way at a snail's pace to the
bathing chamber, and long moments later, back into his bed. He was ashen and
trembling with fatigue when he lay down again, and he dozed off as soon as his
head touched the pillow.

It seemed only seconds later that he woke to Luinloth gently shaking his
shoulder, but by the level of light in the room at least an hour had passed.

"Awake, my Lord, it is time to break your fast," Luinloth said, helping
Thranduil sit up and arranging the pillows behind him to prop him up
comfortably. "Mistress Rose made fried apples and porridge this morning."

"That is a vast improvement over plain porridge and broth," the Elvenking
stated, eyeing the laden tray that Luinloth set on the table beside his bed with
a great deal more enthusiasm than he had displayed towards his meals recently.
"My thanks, Mistress Rose."

"Now, none of that! I wouldn't be taking proper care of you if I didn't try to
put some meat back on your bones, would I?" the hobbitess said, grinning at him
as she set her tray on the now wide awake prince's lap.

"I have often thought since meeting the elder Master Baggins that there is a
great deal to be said for `hobbit sense'," Thranduil mused to no one in
particular. Rose grinned cheekily at him again and he smiled back, reaching for
the bowl of apples on the tray Luinloth placed on his lap.

"I don't care how you have to do it, just get me in that room. I'll take care of
the rest. We have to strike now while they're still weak if we're to have a
rat's chance in Mordor of salvaging this," Durmir said, passing the bag of coins
to the cloaked figure. "Pay off who ever you need to at whatever price you need
to. This has to happen today."

"What about him?" the figure asked, gesturing to the man snoring drunkenly in
the corner.

"He's one of us, and in far too deep to develop a conscience now, assuming he
could stay sober long enough to string two thoughts together. Don't worry about
him. Just do what I told you to do."

"As you wish. I'd better be rewarded handsomely when this is all over," the
cloaked man warned.

"You will be, so long as you don't fail."

~

"You are both strengthening, albeit at a slower rate than I would like but I
suspect that has to do with Legolas' condition prior to the poisoning and to
your adverse reaction to the antidote," Aragorn said, as he sat by Thranduil's
bed. The Elvenking snorted inelegantly.

"What concerns me is that Legolas and I are not at our full strength while the
ones behind this are still free. You know as well as I that this is far from
over, Estel." He glanced at Legolas, gauging his reaction, but his son merely
met his gaze levelly.

"I know that you do not want to hear this, but you are guarded more heavily than
my treasury right now." Aragorn grimaced at the look the elf sent him.

"And your queen is guarded more heavily still, I do not doubt." Thranduil spared
the king of Gondor a small, wry smile before continuing. "None of us doubts your
diligence, Estel, nor do we doubt your desire to see these traitors come to
justice."

"But, you are both warriors and unused to being idle while others ready for
attack. You need not explain your worries to me," Gondor's king said with a half
smile. "I would be doing that same, I am sure."

"And complaining the entire time," Legolas added with an arch look. Aragorn
lobbed a pillow at him, missing deliberately. Legolas merely laughed and lobbed
it back.

"All jesting aside," Aragorn's expression turned serious once more, "the fact
that we have heard nothing and that nothing has been attempted since Lithmor
died makes me uneasy. I am waiting for the other shoe to drop, as it were."

"You have the gift of foresight, as your fore-father Elendil did, and as Elrond
does. I am inclined to read a bit more into your feeling of uneasiness than I
would with other Men, and more than a few elves," Thranduil commented. "Caution
is warranted here, and I for one would feel a great deal better if I had at
least some weapon close to hand." He paused for a moment before continuing, "No
slight intended towards your guardsmen, Estel, but even the best trained
warriors can be defeated."

"I do not take offense; you are correct. I agree, you should have some weapon
available to you in the event that you have cause to use it. Even though you are
not a your full strength, you would at least be able to defend yourself until
assistance arrived." The king of Gondor and Arnor rose to leave. "I will see to
it that your weapons are brought here." He looked at Legolas. "Am I correct in
assuming that you already have yours handy?" The prince smiled serenely and
rolled the sleeve of his shirt back to reveal a sheathed dagger.

"I have four daggers concealed within my garments, and my knives are within easy
reach of my bed," he replied.

"I expected as much," Aragorn said, smiling grimly. "Even when gravely injured,
I have never known you to be unarmed except involuntarily." Legolas looked away,
a shudder passing through his body.

"I think it will be a very long time before I can bear to go unarmed, even in
places I know to be secure," he said softly, meeting his friend's eyes once
more. Aragorn merely nodded, clasping his shoulder briefly before exiting the
room.

~

Legolas sat on the ledge of his balcony, deep in thought. He felt uneasy, but
that was hardly unusual of late. 'Shall I ever be at ease again,' he thought,
'or will I always be looking over my shoulder in the lands of Men henceforth?'
He frowned. 'I do not wish to think ill of most Men because of what a few
twisted Men have done. That is as wrong as Men fearing my kin because they no
longer remember the old friendships.' He sighed and twisted the end of one of
his braids around his finger. 'Perhaps Aragorn and Gimli are right and I simply
need time to heal. I hope so. I do not like feeling like this.' He glanced up at
the roof longingly and shook his head, sighing again. He had promised the dwarf,
and his father, that he would not attempt the roof until Aragorn agreed that he
was strong enough, but really, he just wanted to be left alone for awhile. He
had not had a moment by himself to sort through his jumbled memories and
emotions since his return to the Citadel. As profoundly grateful as he was for
his friends' company and concern, he sorely needed a little peace and wished
that they would leave him alone for even just an hour or so.

He smiled ruefully, shaking his head again. Of course, his adar knew him too
well and was attempting to do just that even now by occupying Serai's attention
inside Legolas' rooms and keeping Luinloth running one errand after another. The
hobbits were seeing to the mid day meal and Aragorn and Arwen were occupied
hearing petitions. Faramir had gone off to investigate at Lord Torbin's estate,
leaving his wife at the Citadel in the king's care. Where she, Eomer, and the
twins were, he had no idea.

Legolas' mouth quirked wryly. Faramir was in for a surprise when he returned.
Idly he wondered if Eowyn had discovered the surprise yet herself. He doubted
it, especially after learning of the manner in which Lithmor had been
apprehended. Had she been aware, Eowyn would not have risked herself and having
found out about the plan only after it had been carried out, Legolas had not
been able to inform her. There was little need to do so now, he preferred to let
her have the joy of discovery on her own without his interference. Still, he was
looking forward to it almost as much as he was looking forward to the same
situation for Aragorn and Arwen, whenever they decided to agree on it. Or, for
that matter Gimli, if the dwarf ever got his act together and spent enough time
among his kindred to charm a lady dwarf into wedding him. Legolas had grand
plans of teaching any children Gimli might sire to climb trees like elflings
just to make his friend sputter and swear. The thought made him chuckle and his
mood lightened a bit.

Muted pieces of his father's conversation with Serai drifted through the gauzy
curtains that separated the large balcony from the sitting room. He supposed he
should rejoin them before Thranduil began to worry, but it was a very pleasant
temptation just to sit in the sun and feel the breeze ruffle his hair for a few
minutes longer. He sighed, rising to his feet and beginning to walk back towards
the sitting room when he realized that the conversation had stopped. Feeling an
icy chill run down his spine, Legolas quickly ducked out of sight against the
wall, all his senses trained on the sitting room. Taking a deep breath, he
risked a look into the room.

Thranduil stood facing the balcony and shielding Serai behind him, his face
impassive and his hand hidden in the folds of his dressing gown, no doubt
grasping the hilt of his knife out of sight of the Man who stood with his back
to Legolas. The girl, Serai, looked terrified. All her attention was focused on
the Man, and the unsheathed sword in his hand. Praying that the girl did not
give him away before he reached his target. Legolas began to creep silently
forward.

Thranduil grasped the hilt of his knife, hiding it in the folds of his dressing
gown and praying that his aim was steady enough to at least slow the Man down.
He could feel his legs starting to tremble with fatigue and he silently cursed
his slow recovery. He only hoped he could hold the Man off long enough for
Legolas to realize what was happening. He tensed slightly as he caught sight of
Legolas moving into the room noiselessly behind the intruder.

"How did you get in here?" Thranduil demanded, distantly pleased that his voice
sounded far stronger than he felt.

"With much more ease than you would expect," the Man replied with a smirk. "I
regret that I haven't time to talk, but you're a loose end that needs cutting."
He started forward. "It's too bad about the girl, of course, but she's rather in
the wrong place at the wrong time."

"It won't matter if you kill us, the king will find you," Serai said, sounding
far calmer than Thranduil was sure she felt. The Man laughed.

"Still haven't grown up, eh, Serai? Would have thought I'd taken care of that
the last time we saw each other. I almost wish I had more time." He leered at
her and Thranduil felt her shudder. His eyes narrowed dangerously.

"If Elessar does not carve your manhood from you, I will," Thranduil growled,
his hand tightening further on his knife. The Man laughed again.

"Rather hard to do that when you're dead," he said, raising his sword. Just
then, his eyes rolled back into his head and he collapsed. Legolas stood behind
him, one of his daggers reversed in his hand.

"He truly needed to cease speaking," Legolas remarked, pulling the braided cord
from the curtains from behind his back and bending to tie the Man's wrists and
ankles. "Is he alone?"

"I would think not," Thranduil replied. "And we have no way of knowing how many
he had helping him." Legolas glanced at him.

"With all respect, Ada, please sit down before you fall down. Serai, are you
well?"

"I will manage," the girl said shakily. "Is he dead?"

"Unfortunately, no," Legolas replied, finishing his final knot. "I would prefer
that he was, for your sake as much as my own, but he may have information that
will be of use to Elessar." He gave Serai a measuring look. "May I have use of
your kerchief, tithen pen? None of us really wants to listen to any more of his
bile, I think." She handed it to him wordlessly and he gagged the Man securely
with it. Eyes darting around the room, the prince chewed his lip, thinking
furiously. "Ada, you and Serai need to barricade yourselves in the bathing
chamber. It is the easiest room to defend, and it will not take as much strength
to keep the door closed. I am going to have to climb over to the next balcony
and get us some assistance."

"Legolas, ion nin...."

"Ada, we have no other choice. I would prefer not to do this, but neither do I
wish to sit and wait for them to come to us. In any case, we need help. You can
barely stand and I am little better." Thranduil stood and pulled his son into a
fierce embrace.

"Be careful! I have come too close to losing you too many times of late." He
touched his brow to Legolas' briefly before releasing him.

"You as well, Ada. I promise I will be as careful as I am able."

~

After dumping the unconscious Man into the bathtub and helping Serai and his
father barricade the bathing chamber door, Legolas ducked quickly out the
window, climbing as nimbly as a squirrel over to the balcony of the next room.
Gimli's room, in fact. The elven prince was hoping against all hope that the
dwarf was in his rooms. He slipped onto the balcony, pausing a moment to catch
his breath before moving forward silently. Ordinarily, Gimli would not be
startled to find Legolas climbing onto his balcony, it was the elf's preferrred
method of entering his friend's rooms, but with the restrictions placed upon the
archer by his prolonged illness catching the dwarf off guard was as likely as it
was dangerous. Peeking into the room, he breathed a sigh of relief to see his
friend seated in his chair, nodding over a book. Looking about, he located a few
small shards of masonry. Aiming carefully, Legolas lobbed the first piece into
the drowsing dwarf's lap. Gimli woke with a start, eyes immediately finding the
elf crouching in the entry to his balcony. He opened his mouth to berate his
friend, shutting it immediately as the look on Legolas' face registered.

"What's happened?" he asked quietly.

"Ada and Serai were attacked. They are well for the moment, but we do not know
how many the Man who got into the room had with him." Gimli immediately stood
and collected his axes.

"We have to assume that the guards were either eliminated or were in on it," the
dwarf rumbled grimly. "Let's go give them a nasty surprise right back." Legolas
grinned ferally at him.

"My thought exactly."

~

"Brace your legs against the tub," Thranduil gritted through his teeth. "I do
not think I can hold them off without your help."

"I'm trying! I'm too short!"

The pounding on the door stopped abruptly and then redoubled. Thranduil pushed
against it with all the strength left in his body as the door frame began to
splinter. Serai lay almost full length on the floor, her arms pushed against the
door and her feet against the base of the tub. Just as he thought the door was
going to shatter, the pounding suddenly ceased and all became quiet on the other
side of the door. Thranduil and Serai traded a look, reluctant to trust the
momentary respite. The door rattled and Thranduil threw his weight against it
again.

"Easy, it's Gimli!" the dwarf's voice called from the other side of the door.
"I'm going to have to take my axe to the door to get it open, they've made a
right mess of it." Thranduil scooted away from the door as quickly as he was
able, urging Serai ahead of him.

"Go ahead, Gimli. We are clear of it," the Elvenking called, leaning heavily on
the far end of the tub. Two impressive blows of a dwarven axe later, the door
fell inward to reveal the dwarf. He looked both Serai and Thranduil over
minutely before calling back over his shoulder.

"They're fine, laddie. Mind your own self and quit worrying about your father!"
The dwarf turned, planting himself in the doorway, plainly guarding the
occupants of the bathing chamber. Out in the hallway, Thranduil could hear the
sound of fighting and tried to struggle to his feet. The dwarf heard him and
turned back to scowl at him. "No you don't, King Thranduil! Stay down, you're
out of the fight for now. The lad's fine, Elladan and Elrohir are with him.
They're just mopping up, as it were."

Greenwood's king sank back down, listening intently to the noises in the
corridor. He wrapped his arms around Serai as he felt her begin to tremble
violently in reaction. "Easy, child. It is over now," he said softly, rocking
her like a small child. Running footsteps and shouting heralded the arrival of
guardsmen loyal to Elessar and Thranduil sighed heavily in relief.

~

"About blessed time! You're late, Aragorn!" The dwarf grinned through his beard
at the newly arrived king of Gondor. "But we've a nicely wrapped present for you
all the same!" He grasped the door, tossing it aside easily and gestured towards
the still unconscious Man in the tub. "Durmir, I believe?"

"And he is still breathing! That is a welcome surprise. He has much to answer
for." Aragorn leaned over checking the bound Man over in a cursory fashion.
"Your handiwork, Gimli?"

"No, Legolas'. Have a look at that crazy elf, would you? He's looking a little
gray around the edges if you ask me. He's pushed himself too far today, not that
there's been much help for it. Have a look at King Thranduil too, while you're
at it. You know Legolas won't settle unless he knows his father's unharmed."

"He will settle, as it appears he is ready to fall on his face," Elladan
commented from the doorway, assisting a not quite steady on his feet Legolas
into the nearest chair. "I will not take you to task, gwador-nin, as I know you
had no choice but to overtax yourself today, but neither will I suffer any
backchat from you. I know that last one wounded you. Did any other?"

"Nay, only him, I think, and it is not enough even to need stitching. I have
not the strength left to argue with you, Elladan. Take advantage while you may."
Legolas sank into the chair with a deep sigh. "How are my adar and Serai?"

"I am well, tired merely," Thranduil called to his son. "I will not need to be
dosed with anything foul tasting in order to rest, I deem." A weary but wry grin
graced his face at the chuckle that escaped his son. "Serai will be fine, once
she has calmed a little."

"I will be fine as soon as I no longer have to breathe the same air as that
piece of filth," Serai said shakily, gesturing toward the bathtub.

"I agree. Allow me, lassie," Gimli said, grinning maliciously. He grabbed Durmir
by the back of his collar and heaved him none too gently out of the tub before
dragging him across the floor to the door out into the corridor. "Here," he said
to the nearest guardsman, "take charge of this traitorous son of an orc. The
rankest cell in the prison is the best place for the likes of him!" He turned
back into the room, dusting his hands off with satisfaction. Legolas chuckled
again.

"My count is still higher than yours," the archer said with a slight smirk which
turned into a wince as the elder of the twins helped him out of his tunic and
shirt.

"Only because you brained him," Gimli retorted. "we'd be even otherwise."

"Oh, Valar, are they still playing that game?" Elrohir groaned as he passed
through the door into the sitting room. "I wanted to garrote the both of them
after the Battle of the Pellenor because they would not cease arguing about it!"

"That Mumak STILL only counts as ONE!" Gimli said, waving his finger at Legolas.

"The Mumak, yes, but the individual Haradrim on his back each count as one as
well," Legolas replied, his eyelids drooping as Elladan began to clean and
bandage the shallow cut along his left side. "Which means I am still fifteen
ahead." He smiled sweetly at the dwarf. "Gwador-nin." Gimli growled and stomped
off back to his rooms. Legolas chuckled. His expression turned serious as he
regarded Serai, who along with Elrohir was helping Thranduil to his bed. When
Thranduil was comfortably settled and the girl had turned back around he
beckoned her closer. She crossed the room and sank down to sit on the floor next
to his chair, taking his hand when he held it out to her. "You did exceptionally
well today, tithen pen. I could not have asked for better. You are far braver
than you credit yourself for being." He frowned slightly. "And now I truly wish
I had killed that orc, Durmir." Serai colored but straightened her spine.

"I want him dead, but I want him to tell the king everything he knows first,"
the girl said, a hint of steel in her voice. Legolas gave her hand an approving
squeeze and a grin complimenting the twins' simultaneous exclamation of, "Now
THAT is our girl!" and Thranduil's "Well said, child."

"I wonder does Lorran know what a jewel he is courting?" Elrohir said, winking
at Serai.

"Lorran's parents raised no fools," Legolas opined. "I am certain that he does.
And if not, there is no lack of volunteers to set him straight on that score."
He leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes. "Elladan, are you finished
fussing over me? If so, I should like to seek my bed for awhile. Elbereth, but I
am weary!" Aragorn, just returned to the room after giving instructions to his
guard captain regarding Durmir, eyed Legolas sharply. Elladan forestalled him
quickly.

"Nay, Estel, he is fine. Just weary and the injury is exactly as he said, a
scratch. He only needs rest now."

"Yes, please stop fussing and just let me sleep," Legolas huffed. He shook
himself and rose to his feet with far more effort than usual. "At the moment I
wish only my bed," he added, shooting a pointed look at the twins.

"Humphf, keep someone from getting a sword in the back and see what thanks you
get," Elrohir groused, winking at Legolas to show he was not truly offended.

"As you might recall, I did thank you for that. I also returned the favor,"
Legolas retorted as he reached his bed and sat down upon it. "We will not
mention, however, that you also threw me headfirst into fresh horse manure less
than a week later along with your foster brother."

"Yes, after you and he threw a bucket of frogs onto Elladan and I as we slept. I
would argue that both of you got what you deserved," Elrohir said, laughing at
Serai's expression. He grinned at her. "Be glad that that particular war is
over, dear heart. There was considerable collateral damage through the course of
it."

"Not the least of which was Gimli," Legolas laughed. "The prank war is over
primarily because none of us want to tangle with Gimli again. Ever."

"Not ever," the twins agreed, nodding emphatically. Thranduil turned his head
towards the two peredhel.

"I have not heard that part of the tale. Anything that deters the four of you is
something I have great interest in hearing." He arched a brow inquiringly at
them expectantly.

"Ask Gimli about it, Ada. It is really his story to tell, after all, and he does
it well. Elladan and Elrohir tend to make light of their part in things when
they tell it," Legolas stated, yawning.

"Come along, pen neth," Elladan said to Serai. "The manure is getting deep in
here."

"But it will lessen when you leave, Elrondionnath," Legolas replied, smiling
serenely.

"I hate it when he is injured and we cannot sit on him and rub his face in the
dirt," Elrohir remarked to his twin as they escorted a giggling Serai through
the door, shutting it behind them. Aragorn, still chuckling, turned to Legolas
as soon as they were gone.

"You seem to be feeling better than you were," he commented.

"Much to my surprise, I am," Legolas said, stretching out on his bed. "Perhaps
it is that I was able to get a bit of my own back from those who have done me
harm. Perhaps it is only temporary and I have a ways to go still. I do not know,
and I am not inclined to examine it further at the moment."

"Then neither will I. Eomer and Eowyn will be here soon, and the hobbits will
follow shortly with food enough for any who may be hungry. I have tripled the guard, only those whose loyalty is beyond doubt. It seems there are more
traitors for me to ferret out given the manner in which you were attacked. I
will send word when I have learned more. Rest well, my friend."

~