The Hidden Enemy

I Will Not Lose You

Aragorn had said his farewells to Eldarion and Faramir. Eldarion had hugged his father tightly as he said goodbye.

"You will come back, right?"
Eldarion had asked.
Aragorn smiled.
"I will try."
"Promise me that you will come back."
"I promise."

As Aragorn had prepared to leave he had run into Legolas who was waiting with by his horse. He had heard their conversation.

"You should not make promises like that."
The elf had told him.
"Why not?"
"You may not be able to keep them."

They had said nothing else to each other during the ride to Mirkwood. They had stopped briefly in Rohan and had shared their news of Alatar with Eomer.

The King of Rohan had been troubled by their story and had promised to keep an eye out for him.

The following day, the three riders set out again.
They rode for a few days without stopping, they decided to make camp near the borders of Lothlorien to rest the horses.

Haldir had wandered through his old home during their stay.
Aragorn and Legolas had been able to sense his grief.

They set off through the healing woods the next day. Pushing their horses as hard as they could go. They made camp in Lorien one last time before finally arriving at the borders of Mirkwood.

"I will ride ahead and inform your father that you are coming."
Haldir said to Legolas.
"Alright."
Legolas nodded.

Haldir rode off while Legolas and Aragorn went over their plan one last time.
"Are you certain that you don't mind waiting in Dale for me?"
Legolas asked.
"I will be fine Legolas."
Aragorn assured him.

"What if Amarth arrives before I do?"
Legolas narrowed his eyes.
"It seems to me that he doesn't want to show himself to anyone but you."
Aragorn pointed out.

Legolas sighed.
"I will try and be there before nightfall."
Aragorn nodded and rode off towards Dale.
Legolas urged his horse onward to his home.

()()()

Legolas dismounted just outside of the palace. Haldir's horse was no where to be seen.

Well, he never said that he was coming with us.

Legolas ingnored the perplexed looks of the guards as he went inside. Of they would be wondering where he had gone off to.

He went straight to his father's throne room.
Thranduil appeared to be waiting for him.
"Welcome back Legolas."
He said calmly.
"Father."
Legolas replied.

Thranduil motioned for his son to follow him. Legolas guessed that Haldir hadn't mentioned anything about Alatar.

They entered the room where Thranduil usually held private conversations with one or two other elves. A table lay with a bottle of wine and some glasses.
Thranduil poured some for himself and Legolas.
Legolas accepted the glass but only took a small drink.

"I apologize for what I said to you Legolas."
Thranduil said.
"I had no right to lose my temper with you."
Legolas felt the pain of his last conversation with his father.

"I forgive you."
Legolas took another sip of the wine. He didn't know why, but he suddenly felt very thirsty.
Thranduil smiled.
"Haldir mentioned that you had something to ask me?"

Legolas took a deep breath and set the cup down.
Now he was feeling dizzy.
Why? He'd only taken two small drinks of the wine.

"There's something I need to tell you."
Legolas took a deep breath and told his father everything.
About Amarth, Alatar, what had happened after the attack, and what they had agreed to do.
"I plan on leaving with Aragorn tonight."
Legolas glanced at his father warily.