"Lord Elrond." I say jumping off my steed.

"King Thranduil, welcome back to Rivendell." He lowers his head.

I lower mine as well.

"I know my son came to see you about Malachi." I say stepping up. 

He turns.

"Elrond please, I know you have seen it. I know you know Legolas is falling." I say.

"I know that he was shot with a dark arrow." He says.

I let out a breath.

"Thranduil, why did you not tell him?" He asks.

"Ha was ú- a dolen na share." I say.   

(It was not a secret to share.) 

"I na- cín réd's gwanur." He says.    

(That is your son's brother.)

"Malachi has abandoned all sense of humanity." I say.

"He wasn't always that way." He says.

"Are you saying it is my fault?" I ask.

"Do you blame yourself?" He raises an eyebrow.

I look down. 

"Would you believe me if I said no?" I raise an eyebrow.

"No." He shakes his head.

"How do we deal with these children?" I ask.

"They are never easy. They are not clay. They are living beings." He says.

"We both know Malachi's mind was twisted." I say.

"We could've helped him, instead you banished him." He says.

I look down.

"It wasn't my choice." I say.

He turns to me.

"What?" He asks.

I have kept this secret a thousand years over. I let out a breath. But now it is time I tell the truth.

"I didn't want to banish him, his mother did." I say.

"Calathe?" Elrond asks in a startle.

"Yes. She has hated Malachi throughout his entire childhood." I say.

"Oh god...." Elrond says.

I turn to him.

"I know you have seen the future. Please, tell me." I say.

"I see Legolas on his last legs. He is dying faster and faster than Radagast can counter. I fear it is only a matter of time before he embraces the darkness." Elrond says.