The battle was over. A few weeks had passed now and Legolas was finally able to pack for his trip to the north to find the Dúnedain. He would have left earlier, but he felt obligated to stay and help his people after the battle. He couldn't just leave. After all, he was the prince. Although he wanted to go as far away from the palace as he could. Away from Tauriel and her grief over the dead dwarf, away from his father and...

Speaking of...

Legolas had been avoiding his father for weeks. He realized that he had to say goodbye to him, before he would leave the palace. But there wasn't anything left to say, was there? Maybe it would be best for both of them if he'd just slip out early in the morning without a word. Yes, that seemed like a good plan. They kind of said goodbye to each other right after the battle anyway. It had to suffice. He would leave tomorrow at first light.

Now that this was decided, Legolas left his room and headed to the kitchen to get some food and water for the long journey ahead of him.

It was late. The sun had already set and so the halls and corridors of the palace were almost empty. Most of the elves who were living in the palace had retired to their own rooms and so it was rather quiet. It was almost eerie and Legolas shuddered, though he didn't know why. This place was and had been his home for such a long time. Why would these corridors fill him with discomfort? It made no sense at all. There were no spiders or Orcs, it wasn't possible for them to enter the kingdom without being noticed. Even Smaug was dead now. So why the sudden uneasiness?

Legolas shook his head, tried to shove the unpleasant feeling away and continued on his way to the kitchen. Although now he was subconsciously watching out for anything unusual. But no Orc attacked, no spider appeared and Legolas finally reached the kitchen. But before he could enter the room, he heard something. Voices! He heard the voices of two elves sitting in the kitchen. They were talking about something in a hushed tone. Legolas didn't want to eavesdrop, but somehow he knew that those two would immediately stop talking if he'd set a foot inside the kitchen. And it seemed like they were talking about their king. So he decided to wait right outside the entrance and listen closely to the whispered conversation.

"Did you see King Thranduil today?"

"No, did you?"

"I'm afraid not. No one has seen him for weeks. I've heard that he's been in his chamber all this time. Never set a foot outside, he even locked the door. And the guards are instructed to send anyone away who wants to enter the room or simply see him."

"That is odd. Is he unwell? He wasn't wounded in the battle, was he?"

"I don't think so. We would have heard. And he would have recovered by now, wouldn't he?"

"Of course. Your right. But why is he doing that?"

"I don't know. Someone told me yesterday, that the only thing he sends for is wine. Five or six bottles a day. They bring the bottles to the door and put them right in front of it. I hear that the guards have to face away from the door at all times, so they won't see the king, when he takes the bottles inside. I wish I knew what was going on. This isn't normal."

"You're right. This isn't normal. Is he alone in there?"

"I think so, but I'm not sure."

"Shouldn't we do something?"

"Maybe we should, but we can't. You forget that he's the king. And knowing his temper, it would be reckless to just open his chamber door and ask him what was going on."

"Hmm...you're right again."

Legolas was still standing outside the kitchen. The words he just heard, alarmed him. Was it true? How come, he didn't know about this? Why wouldn't anyone tell him? He had to check and see for himself if there was any truth to these rumours. Instead of getting the supplies for his journey, Legolas headed now straight for the kings private chamber.

On the way, his mind started to race. What would he find, behind the closed door? His imagination ran wild, and by the time he reached the guarded chamber, Legolas was worried sick.