Prologue: A Certain Letter

Thranduil rubbed his temples even harder as the door of his office slowly shut close. The meeting had been just as frustrating as most. Winter was being particularly bad for the wood-elves...the orc attacks had been more frequent around the borders and the spiders' poison was becoming more deadly, their killing techniques more vile and clever. Many of the elves has suggested exterminating the orcs and then the spiders whilst others suggested otherwise. Some wanted to burn spiders nests deep in the forests and pillage through and others wanted to send teams to Dol Guldur to kill the orcs first, claiming they were the main cause for the darkness.

At the end, the voting ended in a tie and after rounds of trying to quiet them out, Thranduil had sent them out to try to think of a final decision. Although it didn't prove much easier. He had a stack of paperwork left to do, laws to approve and disapprove, along with letters to read and mostly-burn.

He'd found himself shutting Mirkwood by itself more often. Visitors were as rare as miracles and the only trading connection they had was with those silly mortals in Laketown, afraid to encounter Thranduil's temper. It wasn't his fault though, issues around Mirkwood weren't exactly making it look like a rainbow. He grumbled...if he had just received one of the rings, or Oropher maybe, things might have been easened up in Mirkwood. Not so many elves would have been killed.

Yet...he had to admit, wood-elves were strong and with a powerful leadership such as Thranduil's, they had persevered through all troubles and lived right now in what you may have stated-peace. Yes...he'd prove to all of them he didn't need a ring to rule his kingdom.

"Adar," said Thalos, his eldest son and crown prince of Mirkwood after he had finished scribbling in some paper. He was learning to be in his father's footsteps and so he was helping him with the work. Something that proved well to Thranduil. "Look...there's a letter. A letter written from Imladris by Lord Elrond."

Thranduil raised his eyebrow. It'd been some time since he'd talk to his old childhood friend...shielding Mirkwood had caused some complications and shutting itself to other kingdoms was one of them. "Hm...Lord Elrond you say? What is the purpose of his letter?" he snapped, maybe a bit too harshly.

"Well, I don't know, I thought that perhaps you would like to read the letter in case anything personal appeared or-" Thalos thought for a second, "-or anything that was meant to be private. After all, this is directed to you."

"I suppose," said Thranduil sighing exasperatedly. "Hannon le, Thalos. I think you are ready to go now...tomorrow you will return for another council meeting but for now, you are dismissed."

Thalos bowed down deeply and left, his footsteps light thumps against the wooden hall of Thranduil's realm. Comforted in silence, he tore open the envelope and saw a delicate white letter come out with Imladris' stamp on it. His old childhood friend's messy scribbled remained there and he was hit with a strong pound of nostalgia. Both of them used to be so close...they'd do everything together. Even Oropher, Thranduil's father, had joked about that. And now...they barely visited each other.

Dear Thranduil,

As you may have noticed, as winter comes to an end, all elves should find an event to rejoice the coming of spring and the ending of a set of problems that had been brought to us from the harsh winters. As elven allies, I suggest that Greenwood come to the Spring Festival, a holiday none of us are strangers with. Do you remember not the incident we had as elflings? The Spring Festival will be held in a week, and all elven kingdoms will reunite in the celebration, including Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel

If you do not come, it will matter not, mellon-nín, for I understand you have greater issues to worry with. Albeit I feel that Greenwood deserves to enjoy some slight joy in such celebration and I advise to do so in coming. You might not know it but you need it Thranduil. Anyways, it has been long since Greenwood and Imladris have been together.

Warmest regards.

Elrond, Lord of Imladris.

It was short yet Thranduil knew many of the hidden traps Elrond had put inside. First of all...pft, even though winter was over, there were still problems...there would always be. And calling Mirkwood, Greenwood? Elrond was encouraging him to look at his kingdom as it once was...but couldn't he understand? Understand that Oropher was dead and Great Greenwood as well? Couldn't he understand the darkness that lingered upon Mirkwood now? The elfling incident...yes, that brought memories and nostalgia, the sound of innocent giggles sounding in his ears rung like silver bells. Yet as soon as he heard them, he also heard the horns of war and he clicked back into reality. Although it relieved him for Elrond to understand his situation a bit.

Thranduil wouldn't burn this letter. Even better...he was thinking of replying! Something that rarely happened to letters but what to put? Thranduil obviously didn't have time to attend that silly spring party but was there another solution?

He thought about it...sending a representative? That would be hardly proper...and besides, even though Thranduil trusted his advisors, he didn't trust them, that much. And then it came to him, maybe he couldn't send one of his advisors but could he send one of his sons? No, he obviously wouldn't just send his crown prince to Imladris, that would make him an immediate target and it was too risky. However, he had another thing in mind and he knew the perfect person to send.

Thalos was worried.

He had no idea what that letter contained but he didn't like it. Yes, he liked Lord Elrond and wished his father would be more active with their dearest ally better, but his father was king and it was his choice. Still...what could have Lord Elrond written that was so important for Thalos to be immediately dismissed? Not like Thalos didn't mind being dismissed, he was getting rather annoyed by sitting in his chair for five hours with his father. He needed some exercise...he really did.

However, as he walked calmly to the sword fighting grounds, he collapsed with a servant and the servant tumbled to the ground, Thalos being as strong as an ox. He helped the worried servant up and she started an apology.

"P-Prince Thalos, I am deeply sorry...I was not looking right, forgive me. I did not wish to intrude on you like that," she said.

Thalos smiled. "Do not worry, it was fine. There are moments to be careless and that is completely natural."

The servant looked relieved that she hadn't gotten into trouble and Thalos guessed she was new, but then frowned. It was near night...where was she going in such hurry. "But wait!"

"Yes, Prince Thalos?" she said a few steps after standing up, already going to her destination.

"May I ask, where are you going in such hurry?" he frowned at her.

"His Highness, King Thranduil, requested I deliver a message to Prince Legolas," she said, "after he came back from the patrol. He said that he wanted to request him to talk to him in his office."

"I see, yet why good lady, are you going in such hurry?" he asked. "Perhaps he is not even back yet...do you worry about not being able to meet him?"

"No good prince," she admitted looking down. "My shift is nearly done and my son is sick at home...I worry for him and wish to be at home as quick as possible to assist him."

"Well, that is understandable," smiled Thalos. He had to warn Legolas about this...he needed to give him some advice. Talking to King Thranduil alone never proved to be very good. "It is very important. Why don't you not let me deliver the message to him personally whilst you go and dismiss yourself for now?"

"Oh dear prince, that is a generous offer, hannon-le," she said bowing down repeatedly. "However, I must not abandon my duty."

"Nonsense, I'll deliver it to him, I dismiss you for now," Thalos said and nodding many grateful thanks, the servant went off.

Thalos walked down several bridges until he reached the Main Gate. He knew Legolas would already be there...he never returned after night, it was too risky to linger at those hours. Legolas and Thalos had both been taught that strictly by Thranduil himself and he made sure they never forgot. And that was exactly what Thalos saw as he met Legolas' patrol troop in the door.

Legolas had gone there with eleven other elves and he had returned with them as well. Sometimes Thalos, being two thousand years Legolas' senior, was jealous of him. First of all...there was Legolas' hair...how did he keep it so well and shiny? Damn it. And there was also Legolas' magical ability to keep his elves alive. Every patrol that was led by him was safe and never had any deaths. Injured elves? Yes. Seriously injured elves? Yes. But dead elves? Never. For years since his Thranduil assigned him his first patrol, Legolas had lead troops to all kinds of different places yet he never got anybody dead!

Legolas had an elf against him, walking weakly and supporting on Legolas' shoulder. Others were carrying two injured as well yet they all seemed relatively whole. The healers rushed forward to treat the wounds while Legolas' sharp eyes met Thalos'. Whilst Legolas had blue eyes like the clear sky at it's brightest point and golden hair like the treasures in the dwarven mines, Thalos had paler yellow hair and steely gray eyes, which proved good for diplomacy and intimidation but not so good in making allies.

"Mae govannen, Legolas, I suppose everything went well?" smiled Thalos and Legolas was greeted by a reassurance of his brother putting his hand on his shoulder.

Legolas smiled back. It was a genuine smile though, he rarely smiled these days."Mae govannen, indeed it went well. Although the spiders had some surprises for us, there were three nests instead of one. Although everybody got out alive but Riluwan nearly got unconscious and we all got some injuries. But we killed the spiders, burned their nests and survived everything, so I consider it successful, Thalos."

"I can see that," said Thalos. Then he thought about it...he must cheer Legolas before telling him the news. "But damn it Legolas! You must tell me your secret!"

"My secret to what?"

"To keeping your hair so perfect in battle! Doesn't it get stranded or tied up or end up in front of your eyes? My own hair is starting to pester me so much, I might as well go bald."

Legolas allowed a smile, yet it wasn't the laugh Thalos expected and he sighed. "Anyways Legolas, come walk with me."

Legolas look at his patrol who were already nodding their greetings to Thalos and urging Legolas to go. He sighed and followed Thalos, looking slightly worried. "All right, but where are we going?"

"To Adar's office," said Thalos. "You see...we got a letter from Lord Elrond of Imladris."

"I know who he is well enough," said Legolas. "Yet why has he written? Is something wrong? It has been time since Mirkwood and Imladris have talked."

"Indeed it has been," said Thalos gravely. "Unfortunately, I have no idea of what Lord Elrond has written and now, father requests your presence in his office. For what reason? I don't know but you will be talking to him alone. You know how those talks end up."

"I do," said Legolas. He and Thalos had learned the hard way and he didn't want to again.

"So now," as they reached the door of the wooden-bronze door and Thalos showed Legolas the way. "Before you go in, I want to tell you something Legolas: good luck."

Legolas nodded and as his hands settled in the handle, Thalos already walking away, he whispered in the thin air: "Hannon-le."

"Legolas, you'll be going to the spring festival in Imladris."

It wasn't a question, but a command and that was the first thing Legolas was hit with when he entered the room. He wasn't even given the background details or anything! Well...what did he expect? It was his father after all, King Thranduil. He wouldn't be getting any awards for kindness or understanding any time soon.

"I see," said Legolas.

"I believe it will be your first visit to Imladris and that is exactly why I want you to behave yourself," continued Thranduil. "You're a trouble magnet, ion-nín, but I do not want you to mess up this visit. You will be representing Mirkwood and despite the fact that I won't be there, I want you to live up to the standards without my supervision. Is that understood?"

"Yes it is," muttered Legolas.

"You'll be travelling with fifty of the best guard and you will set off tomorrow morning and I'll expect you to reach Imladris about a day or two after that," said Thranduil. "Do you agree with these terms?"

"I think," said Legolas slowly. "That fifty is too many for a simple prince like me. I can take of myself well enough. I am not so important...perhaps the amount of elves should be reduced?"

"Don't underestimate yourself Legolas!" Thranduil snapped. He had meant it to be a comforting word from his fatherly heart but it came out a bit harsher than he meant, as if it were a command. He slightly regretted that but what was said, was said. "You are still a prince of Mirkwood. But as you wish, I will deduct the amount to thirty men. Does that please you?"

Legolas only nodded silently and Thranduil continued.

"Remember, protocol is immediately at play when Lord Elrond greets you. You were taught manners, yes? You must use them when you reach there. Other than Lord Elrond, Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn will be there as well. They are from Lothlorien as you probably know and you must also greet them with high manners. You will also treat the people in Elrond's court and Lothlorien's as well as you treat their leaders. And you will also be courteous to Lord Elrond's family, his wife, the Lady Celebrian (daughter of Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel, may I add); his children which should be his sons Elladan and Elrohir; as well as his daughter, Arwen, a few years younger than you. Will you do this?"

Legolas sighed wearily, he was excited to go yet talking to his father these days was cold and hard. He wished he could talk as freely as he could once do when he was an elfling, when his father was always next to him, hearing what he would say. "Yes, my Lord."

"You are dismissed Legolas, I hope you have a safe trip," said Thranduil. He didn't let the 'my Lord' slip though...that was strange, Legolas always preferred the more loving term, 'Ada.' Well, Thranduil supposed he was being polite with formalities. That was good, being polite...Legolas always had a knack of getting into trouble or having some wild adventure all over Mirkwood, and he didn't want that to happen in Imladris. And maybe Legolas might forget his manners along the way.

Legolas looked back at his father, his usually twinkling blue eyes hard, cold and emotionless "Thank you."

AN: You guys like it so far? Review how you think it is going! Constructive criticism and reviews please, no hate or flames. :) Deeply appreciated.

The Sindarin Vocabulary Basics:

Adar: Father

Hannon-le: Thank you

Mellon-nín: My friend

Mae govannen: Well met (used as a greeting)

Ion-nín: My son