Part Thirty-Six

"If it pleases you, I will send Glorfindel, Erestor, and the boys back to Imladris. I will stay for however long you demand of me and do whatever you require of me," Elrond said softly.

Thranduil appeared to be sad rather than angry, Elrond thought as the two of them stood in the King's chamber, facing each other warily, alone at last. He hoped this was indeed the case, but no matter, he knew his plans had been destroyed. Thranduil would never agree to the marriage between Legolas and Arwen, and he certainly could not hie off to Valinor and leave Elladan and Elrohir in charge of Imladris. Today had proved that if nothing else.

He did not think that Elladan had kidnapped Legolas and poisoned Haldir, but he had managed to get himself locked into the dungeon with the constrained Prince, and that was damning in itself. Who could have done it? Legolas did not know, and Elrond had not had the time to talk to Elladan.

Elrond's words made the Elvenking smile. He stepped forward and lifted a hand to Elrond's cheek, which surprised the Lord of Imladris. Even after what they had shared, he still never expected any tenderness from the formidable ruler of Mirkwood.

"I am amused to see you regress to such a submissive position, Elrond," Thranduil said. He bent his head and kissed Elrond's cheek softly. Elrond closed his eyes. If this was what Thranduil wanted of him, well, he could think of worse.

"I shall submit to you in any way you require," he said softly.

"This is an abrupt change in your manner."

"Believe me, Thranduil, when I tell you that I have enjoyed the small reversal of our positions for the amount of time which it lasted. However, I will do this for Elladan."

"I thought you did not believe him guilty."

"I do not. I despise the idea of our name being so slandered," he said vehemently, his hand curling into a fist.

"Tell me, Elrond. Who do you think did this? Legolas does not know."

Elrond thought for a moment. Legolas had been carried back to his room to be left with Haldir and his brothers along with Saelbeth and Silindë.

"Tell me you do not think my son did this," he said vehemently. Suddenly it was very important.

"Elrond," said Thranduil. "I do not wish to believe that any elf would do this to another. Yet, let me also express my relief that Legolas was not harmed, and that may have been because of Elladan's presence. I do not think he threatened Legolas, though I will certainly ask my son for every detail of what passed as soon as he is able to tell me."

"Perhaps no harm was ever meant to Legolas."

"Perhaps not. But what of Haldir?"

"It occurs to me that every elf of Mirkwood must know that the spider's venom is not fatal."

"Yes, we are taught that from a young age."

"And, everyone in our hunting party knew that as well."

"Yes, yes. What are you getting at, Elrond? That no harm was meant Haldir either?"

"Perhaps not. He was clearly poisoned to get him out of the way while Legolas was taken."

"But…by who?"

"Thranduil, please consider this rationally—"

"Have I acted any way but rationally today, Elrond? I should think you might have notice that I have been far more calm than my reputation would have anyone believe."

Elrond smiled. "That is true. Perhaps you are growing soft."

"Are you trying to goad me?"

"Yes."

Thranduil chuckled. "I refuse to be goaded. Perhaps I am growing soft… perhaps love has made me so."

"Love?"

"Do not be foolish." Thranduil whispered. He drew Elrond into his embrace and kissed him. "Do not question."

Elrond kissed Thranduil back, feeling a desperate relief mixed into his passion. "I do not want to lose your friendship over this," he admitted. "I know how much Legolas means to you, that he is everything to you. I did not come here to ask for him lightly."

"No, you did not," said Thranduil. "There is very little you do lightly, Elrond. But you never told me who you think may have committed this act."

"What of Saelbeth?"

Thranduil nodded. "Possible. But not probable. I have known Saelbeth all of his life. He is devoted to Legolas. He is honorable."

"So is Elladan."

A knock came at the door. Sighing, Thranduil turned away from Elrond and went to the door. Saelbeth and Elladan stood in the doorway. Elrond raised an eyebrow, as did the Elvenking.

"Here is a pair I did not expect to see," he commented. "It is Elladan, is it not? Or are you Elrohir, come to plead your brother's case again?"

Saelbeth's pale face flamed. His pointed ears turned scarlet and he looked down at the floor, then back up at the King.

"I am pleased to know that Elrohir would defend me when few others would. Go on, tell him," said Elladan. He jabbed Saelbeth in the shoulder.

"Elladan!" Elrond snapped. His son was certainly in no position to be treating an elf of Mirkwood as such.

"Father, Saelbeth accused me of a heinous crime and was about to let you pay for it. I will not permit that to happen," Elladan said hotly.

"I have accepted the burden, my son. Do not fear for me. Thranduil is a fair King and wise ruler as well as a loving father."

"You, too, are a loving father, Elrond," said Thranduil. "Your children are lucky to have you. Speak, then, Saelbeth, have you nothing to say?"

Saelbeth took a deep breath. "After some conversation, I have come to believe that I may have been wrong to accuse Elladan."

"Thank you," Elladan snapped.

"And what leads you to that conclusion?" Thranduil asked.

"It is a rather long story."

"Go on. We certainly have time."

"I did find Elladan and Legolas in the dungeon together, but as he said earlier, Elladan was already locked in with the Prince. The keys were hanging outside the cell in easy reach so thought that Elladan had left them there and closed the door so his prisoner could not escape."

"They were not within easy reach," Elladan mumbled. "I am not stupid. If they were, I would certainly have let us out."

"Elladan told me that just before I arrived in the dungeon, someone else was there, the—the elf who locked him in."

"And who must have locked Legolas in as well. I do not understand why he would have done it, or poisoned Haldir, but…"

"I know why he did it," said Saelbeth miserably.

"Are you going to explain then?" Thranduil asked, becoming impatient.

"Or better yet," said Elrond, "Are you going to tell us WHO?"