Title: Darkness Comes Where Nightfall Goes Author: Cheysuli (cheysuli@gvtc.com) Pairing: Thranduil/Elrond Rating: R Summary: A nightmare begins when Mirkwood's young prince disappears. Pre-LOTR AU. Disclaimer: I do not own Legolas, Thranduil, Elrond or any other of Tolkien's creations. Author's note: This is my first story that has slash so I would love to hear what you think. _______________________ The sun rose slowly over Mirkwood, her rays slipping through the thick branches of the trees and attempting to reach the forest floor. Animals awakened, eager to meet a new day, while others went deeper into the shadows to sleep. Light began to seep through the large windows in the forest palace, driving the last remnants of sleep from the minds of its inhabitants, the elves. Many rose and began their daily duties, lighting fires in the kitchens, fetching water from nearby streams, and cooking breakfast. Others, one in particular, were trying desperately to fall back into dreams, not wanting the new day to begin. In one room, indeed the largest private room in the palace, an elf slept in a large bed, his arm thrown over his eyes in an effort to block out the sun and his golden hair splayed across the soft pillow. Next to him laid an open book, showing that he had read long into the night, and was the reason he refused to awaken. His breathing was deep and even, showing he was nowhere near waking up and even the song of the birds and the elves working outside did little to disturb his rest. On one side of the room, a large door slowly creaked open and a young elf walked in, looking around the room. His wide blue eyes seemed to miss nothing and he soon found the older elf sprawled on the bed. Shaking his head, which caused his long golden hair to fall into his eyes, he walked over to the other elf. Reaching the bed, he knelt on the floor and placed his hand on the sleeper’s arm. “Ada?” the youth whispered. “It’s time to wake up.” When he received no response he began shaking the other elf. “Ada, wake up!” he repeated, louder this time. He was rewarded when the sleeper mumbled something and pulled the pillow over his head, attempting to block out the youth’s voice. Standing, the youth sighed and tried to think of another way to wake the sleeper. Smiling, he looked down at the older elf, his eyes sparkling. Taking a deep breath, he jumped onto the bed and tossed the pillow onto the floor. He leaned in close to the other’s face, right next to his ear and yelled. “Ada! Wake up!” The other’s eyes snapped open and he quickly sat up, knocking the youth off the bed. Wide eyes searched the room, looking for hidden danger, before he noticed the youth still on the floor. His eyes narrowed as he realized what had happened. “Legolas, was that really necessary?” Legolas smiled up at him, “Good morning, Ada. Did you sleep well?” The older elf sighed and shook his head. “Yes, at least until I was rudely awakened. But you avoid the question. Was that really necessary?” Legolas stood, still smiling, and walked over to the bed. “Yes. It’s after dawn; surely you do not plan on sleeping the whole day away? Have you forgotten what day it is?” he asked as he sat on the bed, gently this time. He frowned when he saw confusion in the other’s eyes. “You did.” “Legolas, I’m sorry,” he said, leaning towards the child, “Perhaps you could enlighten your poor father to what is so special about this day.” He reached out his hand to his son, brushing back the golden hair that always seemed to be in the child’s eyes. “What is so different about today?” Legolas shook his head, causing his hair to fall back into his eyes, and smiled at the expression on his father’s face. “You said that today I could go with Nilad when he scouts the forest.” His smile fades when he sees his father frown. “Ada, you promised.” “Legolas, you are still a child. You are too young-” He was interrupted when an elf stepped through the still open door and began speaking. “King Thranduil, Nilad has just arrived and wishes to know if the prince will be joining him as planned.” Thranduil looked back at his son, who had started smiling again. His son had just turned 40, he hadn’t even reached maturity. Even among Men he would be recognized as a child, looking (according to men) to be no more than 16 years. Legolas was still a child, a child who was carefree, a child who was naïve, a child who….was staring at him with those wide eyes that could get him to agree to anything. He shook his head; those eyes were the reason he had agreed to this in the first place. “Tell him….” he hesitated, and tried to look away from his son’s eyes, tried to say no. “Tell him, that Legolas will join him shortly.” He was finally able to look away as he saw a look of triumph cross his son’s face. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Nilad stood in the great entry hall, trying to stay out of the way as elves rushed in and out of the palace. He was due to leave in a few minutes to scout the northern forest and was waiting to see if the king was planning on changing his mind about Legolas joining him. He was somewhat doubtful, as the prince could usually get his father to do anything, but Thranduil was extremely protective of the child and could still refuse to allow his son to venture so far from the palace. There is still a chance, Nilad thought, It’s not as if we are heading south. That was, indeed, a good thing. If Nilad were to scout the southern end of the forest, Thranduil would never even consider allowing Legolas to go, no matter how much the child begged. He was torn from his musings when Celoril, who had gone to alert the king of his presence, returned to the hall. Nilad focused his attention on the older elf and waited to hear if he was to scout alone this day. “The king says that Legolas will be joining you shortly.” Celoril stated, smiling. “However, I do believe he would have refused if the prince had not been staring at him.” Nilad shook his head, laughing. “It would appear that I am not the only one who can’t say no to the child.” “Indeed. His eyes are powerful weapons, it seems as though none can refuse him. It’s strange, though, when you think about it,” Celoril said, frowning. “I agree. No one else I know can manipulate others like that. But let us not speak of this at this time. I believe I hear Legolas and his father approaching.” ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Indeed, the two were hurrying towards the entry hall, and quite loudly at that, especially for elves. However, that appeared to be due to the fact that the child was running through the passageways dragging his father behind him. Elves hurried to get out of the way, laughing at the prince’s enthusiasm, and at the expression on the king’s face. It was not a rare sight to see Legolas pulling his father all over the palace, and it would have been surprising to go even a single day without witnessing such an event. Thranduil tried desperately to free his hand from his son’s vise-like grip, not wanting to be led around like a pup on a leash, but as always failed to do so. His son had always been strong for his age and few could defeat him in tests of strength. Unfortunately, his father was not one of them and therefore had to submit to being dragged around like a favorite toy. He winced as his son narrowly avoided running into a maiden who was carrying a bucket of water to the kitchens and decided to spend less time trying to free himself, and more time on staying on his feet. He nearly collided with a wall as Legolas turned a corner, and so, finally having had enough, stopped suddenly. Legolas, while strong, was thrown off balance by the sudden stop and stumbled back into his father’s arms. Frowning, he looked up into his father’s face. “Ada?” Thranduil looked at his son, seeing the child’s confusion. “Yes, Legolas?” “Why’d you stop?” Thranduil sighed, and shook his head. “Because I would like to arrive in one piece.” If possible, Legolas looked even more confused. “One piece?” he asked as he tried to escape his father’s arms, which was impossible if he wanted to avoid hurting him. He finally gave up as Thranduil’s arms tightened around him. “What do you mean?” “What I mean is, if we do not slow down we will crash into something.” “I would have noticed if I was about to crash.” “What about that maiden?” “I saw her.” “You almost ran into her.” “But I didn’t.” Thranduil sighed, “What about the wall?” “What wall?” “The one I nearly crashed into.” Legolas smiled, “You should watch where you’re going, Ada.” Thranduil opened his mouth to reply to this, but decided it was pointless. He released his son and took a step back. “Let’s go. Slowly, this time,” he said as he saw his son was about to take off at a run. He smiled when Legolas turned to glare at him before beginning to walk down the hallway. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Nilad smiled as Legolas walked through the large door. Thranduil, who was for some reason rubbing his wrist, followed closely behind him. “Good morning, my king. Good morning, Legolas. I trust you both slept well?” Nilad asked. He frowned when he saw the king turn to glare at the child, who appeared to be trying to hold back laughter. “Yes, Nilad, I did indeed sleep well.” Thranduil answered, still glaring at Legolas. “At least until my son decided I had slept long enough.” Hearing this, Legolas burst out laughing, “Ada, you sleep too much! Someone needs to wake you up.” Thranduil shook his head, smiling. “One of these days, it’s going to be me who wakes you up.” “Never!” Legolas exclaimed, breathlessly. “I will always wake you up.” Not wanting to interrupt, but needing to nonetheless, Nilad cleared his throat. “May I remind you that Legolas and I need to be leaving soon?” he said as the two turned towards him, “Unless, of course, you have changed your mind, my king.” As he said this, he glanced at Celoril who had been standing in the shadows near the wall. Celoril, who had apparently not been notice by either of the royal elves, was smiling at the prince, waiting to see his reaction. Nilad turned just in time to see Legolas pierce his father with his powerful gaze. Thranduil, having been caught unawares, yet again, by his son’s eyes, threw all thought of refusal out of his mind. “No,” he said reluctantly. “He can go.” He laughed when Legolas smiled at him, nearly jumping in happiness. Legolas turned and started to run towards the outer doors, Nilad following at a slightly lower speed. Before his son disappeared outside, he shouted, “Stay with Nilad at all times! Don’t go off by yourself!” Legolas slowed and turned around, still walking, “I won’t, Ada. Promise.” Then he turned and raced out the door.