»»»»

Thalion walked into his father's study, he was armed and ready to set out again.
But first he needed to speak with Thranduil.

He entered the study and dipped his head towards his father.
"Thalion, I expected you to be gone by now."
His father stood up from his desk and walked towards him.

"I was about to set out adar. But I needed to ask you something first."
Thranduil tilted his head slightly to the side and looked at his son curiously.

"I want Legolas to accompany me and my warriors to the border."
Thalion waited for his father to respond, he wasn't surprised by his answer.

"It is out of the question. He is still far too young, and unexperienced in combat."
"He would remain by my side at all times. I would not put him into any actual fighting."

Thranduil studied Thalion for a moment before continuing,
"Why do you want him to come?"
"Legolas wants to prove himself to you father, he wants to help defend his home."

"It does not matter what he wants. He is not ready and he will not be until I say he is. Understood?"

Thalion sighed, he knew that there was no arguing with his father, but he sensed that there was another reason why Thranduil wouldn't allow Legolas to go.

"I was out and fighting at his
age."
Thalion pointed out.
"That was different Thalion. You are older than Legolas, and the air to the throne should I sail west or be slain in battle. You have a responsibility to your people that Legolas does not."

"So now it is because Legolas does not have as much responsibilties as I do?"
Thalion's voice rose in frustration.

"Legolas is not ready!"
Thranduil and Thalion stared each other down.
Finally, Thranduil sighed and returned to his seat.

"Do you remember when Legolas was born Thalion?"
He asked quietly.
That was an odd question.
"Yes, I remember."

"After he was saved and the battle was over, Elrond came to me and told me that he saw a glimpse of Legolas' future."

Thalion stifened, he knew that Elrond had the gift of foresight.
What had he seen?
Thranduil looked at Thalion with a cold gaze.

"He saw nothing but suffering, pain, and death. All of it surrounding Legolas."

Thalion's eyes widened in shock.
How could that be? Elrond had to have been mistaken some how.

"That is why I keep him here Thalion. To protect him, and others."
Thalion snapped out of his shock and looked at his father in confusion.
"Protect others? What do you mean?"

"Lord Elrond was not certain whether the suffering was meant for Legolas, or others."
Thranduil replied calmly.
"Are you saying that Legolas could cause pain and death for others?"
Thalion narrowed his eyes at his father.

"I am only doing what is best for him."
"You fear him."
"I fear for him."
"And others."

Thranduil stood up and glared at his son.
"It is time for you to leave."
"Legolas is not dangerous adar. You know that whatever fear you have of him is for nothing."

"How do you explain your mother's death? It happened when he was there."
"She died protecting him! He was innocent and defenseless! You would have done the same for him or me."

Thranduil pointed towards the door.
"Leave, now."
Thalion glared at his father one last time, and without another word he left.

»»»»

Thalion closed the door behind him and stormed down the wall.
His father's words had made him furious. How could their mother's death be Legolas' fault?

The only reason his father considered that possibility was because of what Elrond had told him, but wasn't also Elrond who said that the future was never certain?

It was always changing, perhaps what he had seen had already passed. His thoughts were confirmed as he heard Legolas calling his name.

He smiled and turned towards his brother, Legolas was filled with light, innocent and carefree.
How could there be any darkness in his life?

"Did you ask him? What did he say? Can I go?"
Legolas' eyes were bright with excitement.
Thalion remembered his father's words and his smile faded.

"I am sorry Las, you cannot go."
Legolas' face fell.
"What?"
"Adar said that you were not ready. You must respect his decision."

Thalion turned and began walking away, he was aware of Legolas following him.
"Can you talk to him again? Please Thalion I want to help!"

"He said no Las!"
Thalion whipped around and glared at his brother who flinched.
Thalion saw the shock and fear in Legolas' eyes.
He immediately regretted losing his temper, but instead of apologzing he turned and left.

»»»»

Legolas watched Thalion in shock. He had never gotten angry with him before.
Legolas glanced back at his father's study, Thranduil had said that he wasn't ready.

Legolas' hands clenched into fists. He would show them, he was ready. They would see, they'd all see.

Legolas ran down the hall towards the armoury, no one would question him taking a few weapons to practice with...

»»»»

Thalion crouched down in the branch he was in. So far they hadn't met any hostility.
No spiders, and no orcs.

His warriors had searched the borders and had found no traces of the orcs that had been spotted days before.

But now there was a chance that more spiders had entered their land. The last time Thalion had been out had been when his father had assigned him to destroy a fairly large nest in the eastern border.

The task had taken two months, at first it had seemed like a they would have peace for awhile, but then the spiders that had escaped had gone south, spinning more webs and creating an even bigger nest.

"My Lord Thalion."
An elf sprang lightly onto Thalion's branch and quickly settled himself beside him.
"Our scouts have reported several spiders headed this way."
"How many?"

The elf didn't have a chance to answer, in another tree an elf called out a warning.
Thalion commanded his warriors to draw their weapons.

Thalion pulled out his bow and aimed it at the first spider he saw, he let the arrow fly and it hit the spider right in one of its many eyes.

The elves sprang into action, some fired arrows while other fought with knives and swords.
The spiders came from all directions, Thalion knew at once that they were severly outnumbered.

Thalion leapt from his tree quickly switched from his bow to his sword, a spider charged towards him.

Thalion dodged to the right and slashed his sword across the spider's body.
The creature screeched in pain and turned on him, only to have Thalion thrust his sword into it's face, right between itsbtwo biggest eyes.

Thalion suddenly heard a cry of pain. He whipped around and saw an elf laying on the ground and clutching his leg, a massive spider stood over him.

Thalion raced towards the spider, the beast turned towards him and screeched.
Thalion dodged its oncoming attack and hacked one of its legs off.

He brought his sword down on the spider's head, killing it instantly.
He reached the fallen elf's side, he had been stung.

Thalion called for an elf to help him. A dark haired ellon raced towards his side and helped him carry the injured elf to safety.

Thalion suddenly felt his feet pulled out from under him, he lost his grip on the elf and crashed onto the ground.

A spider had gotten a hold on his leg and was trying to drag him off. Thalion's sword lay just beyond his reach.

He grabbed a long white dagger from his belt and sliced at the spider's legs.
The spider roared and briefly released its grip on Thalion, the elf rolled to the side and threw the dagger at the spider.

Thalion quickly recovered his sword, just as he was about to return to the injured elf another spider dropped onto of him.

Thalion once again lost his sword, and now he didn't have his dagger.
The spider's fangs were inches from his face, his hands gripped them tightly and tried to force the spider off of him.

His quiver dug painfully into his back, his strength was failing, any moment now the spider would finish him.

Suddenly the spider screeched and jumped back.
Thalion rolled out from under it, grabbed his sword, and prepared to defend himself, only to find that the beast was already dead.

Two arrows stuck out of the spider's body, Thalion turned to find the archer and stared at him in disbelief.

"Legolas!"