It hurts

That doesn't sound good

The King of Mirkwood awoke in the late afternoon. Thranduil had had a very irregular sleep pattern since his wife had left him. Sighing, he sat up and stretched his tired bones. Suddenly he felt a painful pull in his chest. Automatically his hand wandered to the place where the heart of the Elf King was. With his eyes closed, he tried to ease the pain. Thranduil thought that his heart just wanted to remind him that his wife wasn't lying next to him as usual when he awoke. She hadn't done this for five years. But this time it was different. The part of his heart that he had pinned to his wife also hurt, but there was an even stronger pull from another area. The king felt his way in surprise and finally came to that part of his heart that belonged to his son. Suddenly Thranduil felt a burning desire to be with Legolas and to hold him tightly. He had wanted to do that for a long time, but until now he was able to hold back. He was too afraid of his son's reaction. For the first two years, Thranduil could not approach him because Legolas reminded him too much of his wife. But at some point the longing got too great and he almost gave in to it, but fear kept him from it. He didn't know how the prince would react if he saw his father again after two years without any contact. Now the king saw how selfish his behavior had been. He had never given a thought to how his son had fared in all the time without him. With his cold demeanor, the king had been able to keep everyone, including Legolas, at bay. To this day, Thranduil did not notice how badly he had hurt him. Angry at himself, the king of the woodland realm rose and dressed. Since he had planned to go to his son right now, Thranduil left the crown and the scepter on the dresser and opened the door of his room. With quick steps he ran down the corridor, on the way to the apartment of Legolas. How long he hadn't been there. It was only now that he began to really understand how long he hadn't seen his son! Not a few days or weeks, no. It had been a bloody five years! The king would have loved to hit his head against the wall. How could he have been so stupid? After all, when his son came back here he had been orc tortured for two years. The external wounds had all healed thanks to the healers, but he was still scarred. To speak fully of the wounds of the soul. He hadn't even looked after his son, asked if he was okay or told him he loved him. Because that's what Thranduil did! He loved his son more than anything in all of Middle-earth. The human race would not understand this, for their kind was mortal. Yet the eldar had another way of connecting with their children, one that no other living being in all of Arda could understand. An elfling was far more precious than all gold and mithril in the whole world. It was a life that was created, and with proper protection, it would be sustained forever. But Thranduil had not fulfilled his duty as a father to protect his child from everything and everyone who wanted him harm. He was painfully aware of this when he felt the tug in his heart again.

But before Thranduil could sink further into his thoughts, Aldon (tree), the chief of his guards, came around the corner and bowed his head respectfully when he saw his king. "Aran nin, I was looking for you." He said with his head still bowed. Actually, Thranduil didn't want to talk to him now, because he had better things to do. However, he was not only a father but also a king and had other duties, whether he wanted to or not. So he made a quick wave of the hand to signal Aldon that he could speak now. "Your son was on his first patrol today, as you may know." The captain began, throwing Thranduil an uncertain look. Of course! The king had almost forgotten that. But outwardly he didn't show his pain and just nodded coolly. So Aldon continued. "Actually, it should just be a simple tour of discovery ..." he paused. ,Actually? That doesn't sound good! 'Thought Thranduil and his gaze bored into the poor captain. He swallowed before continuing. "... However, we were attacked by twelve spiders in a clearing. My group, like the prince, was in the trees, but unfortunately we noticed a spider sneaking up from behind, too late. So we couldn't prevent her from pulling three Elves, including your son, from the tree to the ground. After we had defeated all the spiders we went back to the palace because two of my elves were injured. I don't know how your son fared, because he withdrew to his room as soon as we got back. "Aldon closed his report and looked up at his king, waiting and a little uncertain. The King did not show it, but he had become more and more worried and fearful during the report from his captain. Hopefully nothing had happened to his son! "Thank you for your report, Aldon. You can withdraw now. "Said the king as calmly as possible and then turned away from his captain. As soon as he was out of sight, Thranduil quickened his pace and rushed to his son's room.

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Oh you have no idea how long I've been waiting to be able to use a cliffhanger. Ah that feels great. How did you like it?