Author's Note: I know I have a bunch of review replies I owe people. RL hasn't cut me a break, and I have a medical procedure scheduled for later this week, so it'll be a while before I can get to them. I do appreciate every single one.

In the meantime, have a little early Christmas present. :-) Merry Christmas to everyone who celebrates it, and happy holidays!

Summary: Legolas is going to Ithilien to restore the forest, as he promised. Thranduil must have a word with someone first.

To Go to Ithilien

Thranduil looked up at the two young Elves who stood quietly before him. It was easy to see the difference between them and the droves of archers who had been through his study through most of the day, formally informing him of their individual decisions to go to Ithilien with Legolas.

Go to Ithilien.

With Legolas.

The Elven-king suppressed a sigh. He would miss his son, his presence and his cheer. There was no denying that. But it would only be for a few years, and Ithilien was not an insurmountable distance away. He understood, too, the importance of the task Legolas had taken on. Many of the Noldor had already left Middle-earth, and the Sindar had already begun to follow. Soon there would be none of the Firstborn left, unless some of the Wood-elves chose to linger. If they could restore some of the forests before they went, undo even a little of the damage Sauron's evil had wrought…

It was a worthwhile task. Thranduil did not begrudge Aragorn and Arwen, or the folk of Gondor, Legolas' time and attention for the next few years. But – his lips twitched into a small smile – that was no reason not to make certain they knew how great a sacrifice it was for him to let his only child live in Ithilien.

The time for that would come. Thranduil forced his mind back to the present.

Before him, Eredhion and Voronwë waited patiently.

They were warriors, just like Saeldur, who had been the first, after Legolas, to kneel and beg the King's leave to go to Ithilien. Just like all the others who had been here over the course of the day.

But Legolas' archers were most at home in the woods they defended, where they ran through the trees like silent, deadly shadows. They were uncomfortable contained too long within stone walls – as was Legolas himself. Eredhion and Voronwë were accustomed to the stronghold. They had spent as much time staying a step ahead of court intrigue as they had fighting Orcs or Spiders in the forest.

They were still and silent now, waiting for his attention. Thranduil gave it to them with a small smile of appreciation.

"I take it you are here to tell me you wish to go to Ithilien?"

"If it please you, my King." Eredhion looked a little uncomfortable. "We had assumed… Since Legolas said he was going, that you would know… Where else would we be?"

"But Aeroniel said we ought to tell you anyway," Voronwë supplied.

Thranduil could not hold back a short laugh. "I did know," he assured them. "But I am glad you came to me, all the same. There is something I must discuss with you."

"My King."

"Sit," Thranduil invited. He waited until they had settled down in front of his desk before he went on. "There are many dangers in Ithilien."

"That is why we will be there, my King," Voronwë said.

"I have heard tales of stray Orc bands fleeing out of Mordor and highwaymen taking advantage of the transition." Thranduil shrugged. "I will confess, this does not worry me. Legolas will be there at the head of the archers. If anything, I pity any Orcs or brigands that fall afoul of them."

"Colfind and Rochendilwen already have a wager on which of them will be first to kill an Orc in Gondor. And Saeldur is fuming about how unlikely he is to catch up to Legolas' tally from the Pelennor Fields and the Black Gate."

"And what have the two of you been wagering on?"

"How long it will be before the son of the Steward of Gondor begs for the archery lessons he desperately wants but is shy to ask for." Eredhion grinned. "Voronwë says six months. I say two. He is not making adequate allowance for the impatience of Men."

Thranduil laughed again. "Be that as it may, the Orcs are not the danger that concern me." He leaned forward, growing serious. "Estel is an honourable man, but based on the actions of the late Steward of Gondor and his firstborn son, I do not know if the same can be said of this Faramir."

"Legolas says Faramir is trustworthy, but he admits he does not know him well."

"Even if Faramir is trustworthy, there will be others. The court of Gondor has grown degenerate in the centuries since the death of Anárion. Many men there distrust other races, and they will not be happy to have Elves so near them as Ithilien." He met first Eredhion's gaze, and then Voronwë's, squarely. "You understand what I am saying."

"We understand, my King," Voronwë assured him.

"I am entrusting you with what above all things else in Arda I hold precious."

"We will not fail you."

"Legolas can defend himself, and he is no fool, but he trusts too readily. You must be vigilant." He lowered his voice, though there was nobody to hear. "Keep the laws of Gondor as best you can, but remember that above all else you must keep Legolas safe from whatever treachery the court of Minas Tirith can produce. No matter what."

"Yes, my King."

"Now that Sauron has been defeated, there is absolutely nothing for which I would be willing to pay the price of my son's life. It is Estel's business to keep the peace in his kingdom, and I wish him well, but if anybody openly attacks Legolas, be certain they know the consequences." He drew in a deep breath. "If it comes to that point, you will be bound by nothing – not by Gondor's laws, not by Estel's wishes, not even by Legolas' own orders. Make certain you keep him safe, and I will take full responsibility for anything you have to do in the process, if it angers Legolas."

"Nobody will touch him while we are there, my King," Eredhion promised. "In truth, I doubt anybody will try. If the people of Minas Tirith can accept Elrond's daughter as their Queen, they can accept Elves in the forest a day's ride away."

"And we can accept Legolas' anger if by incurring it we can preserve his life."

Thranduil let out his breath. "Good," he said quietly. "Good."

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