I hope that there will not be another poisoning." Loki said coolly when he finally found Thranduil in his office chambers. "It would be a shame if our alliance was broken because I died by the hands of your prince."

He was thinking about how people may believe their prince over the three witnesses who were only lowly servants. And more importantly, the king. He might believe the words of his son more than someone he didn't know. And if that happened, then the people would have to at least consider the possibility of the criminal not being there (seemingly) beloved prince. And that would put him at risk of being discovered.

Thranduil's jaw tightened. He thought a moment before replying slowly, measerdly.

"The Prince is being brought back to the palace to be questioned and potentially held in the dungeons until a predetermined time."

This is exactly what he wanted to hear.

"Potentially?"

"We shall see where the questioning leads us, and shall move forward how I best see fit."

"As long as your emotions do not get in the way of proper justice," Loki said smugly. "I'm sure you shall make the correct decision."

"My emotions have nothing to do with this!" Thranduil roared. "This is my kingdom and I will not put it in danger! If I had my way I would reveal those liers for what they are and they would be in the dungeons right now! But NO! Instead my own son and heir is coming back to be imprisoned! And there is nothing more that he hates than being denied freedom. Do you think my emotions are dictating what I do?"

At this outburst of the normally cold Elvenking he had come to know within the last month, Loki felt almost sorry. Almost. Not enough to risk himself and losing the tesseract. He is not completely without heart.

"Clearly your emotions are not in control. The sudden burst of rage prove otherwise."

Thranduil closed his eyes and slowly rose from his seat. The tipping point had been reached. One more drop in the pond of anger would unleash a torrent even Loki would prefer not to weather.

"You may leave now." The King said gently. "Leave before I go back on promise to help you find your precious tesseract."

Loki clearly understood the threat; leave before I don't have someone to fulfil my promise to. He took his leave. Strolling through the underground yet extremely treeish and open aired space he wondered what would truly become Legolas. Would he be imprisoned? Set free? Banished? Executed? And so with a small laugh and his signature smirk, he decided that only time would tell. And he would enjoy whatever comes.

* * * * * * *

It had taken Legolas too short a time to get back to the palace with his small guard that was completely unneeded. Or perhaps his father knew that he was enjoying himself and was afraid that he would give those guards the slip, it's not like he hadn't done it before...

The guards were oddly silent. Much to Legolas' displeasure. And the leader—he didn't even know his name! And he wouldn't give it!

'Strange indeed.' Legolas thought to himself. He just wanted to leave them behind. Go swimming. Climb a tree... just something other than this silent nothingness!

'That's it.' He decided with all the seriousness of a child. I'm going to live with the Silvans. At least they have a personality and would let me enjoy my freedom!

But now he was at the palace and he couldn't do such things that require any sort of freedom or carelessness. He couldn't even help with the borders much. Maybe his father had pulled him in to help strategize a plan? Get frontline accounts? Except, there were other elves that could do that just as well as him...

Legolas wouldn't have to wait much longer for now was already at the heart of the kingdom nearing the throne room.

He stepped into the room to see a sight he did not expect; five great lords and councilors stood so somburly that it was as if he had walked into a graveyard, each wearing robes of dark greys and blues. Their faces were set sternly. One could see the concentration they had for their prince, and their prince only.

"Prince Legolas." Thranduil said imperiously.

Now Legolas began to get nervous. He knew that tone of voice, and who he was talking to. This was the King, not his father. Whatever he was here for he could not seek any help from him.

"Prince Legolas Thranduillion of the Woodland Realm." The king said, his tone of voice dead. "Are you aware of why you have been summoned?"

"No your majesty." Legolas said reverently, "I am not."

This statement was met with the blank faces of the council members. Their eyes however, showed cautious hope.