Part 5 of my 'The Strength of Silence' series, set in a universe where everything is more or less the same, except Legolas is mute.

It was late afternoon, not long after the halting of heavy rainfall. The sun now glinted against the water-drop covered trees, and the forest smelt heavily of fresh, dampened earth. A little elfling ran barefooted through the forest, light on his feet and very sure of himself. He silently made his way through the dense thickets until he reached one of his favorite trees, grabbing a low branch and swinging up with ease.

The elfling, Prince Legolas of the Woodland Realm, was eagerly responding to a message from the trees, who sensed that there was a special visitor entering Greenwood. Legolas had a feeling as to who this visitor was, and he was hoping that his instincts were right.

Sure enough, after waiting patiently in the treetops, he spotted a figure clad in ragged robes and a pointy hat. He was also wielding a staff, using it as a walking stick and to move aside plants and foliage. It only took one quick glance for Legolas to confirm his suspicions; it was Gandalf The Grey!

Legolas nudged one of the nearby branches to let a pinecone loose, waiting with baited breath as it fell to the forest floor. Just as he'd hoped, the bearded wizard stopped in his tracks and peered up into the trees. Legolas was unable to hold back the delighted giggle that passed through his lips.

"Well now!" Said Gandalf the Grey. "If I didn't know any better, I might think there was a little spy above my head."

The old wizard reached into his robe and pulled out a lumpy brown bag. "I have a sack of sweets here, but it's not for any sort of spy- it is a gift for the prince of the Woodland Realm!"

Legolas was never one to pass on the opportunity of obtaining candy; there were plenty of sweets available from the cooks of the palace, but Gandalf always brought the best sort of candy with him! He dropped effortlessly to the ground, wasting no time in hugging the wizard.

Gandalf, as always, was delighted to see him. "Just look at you, child! You've grown since I've saw you!"

The elfling was grinning ear-to-ear, and he made several hand gestures.

The old wizard grinned. "Why certainly, let's be on our way to your Ada then!"

It was certainly a sight to behold when they entered the cavern-palace: A tall wizard in ragged robes being tugged along by an elfling who barely reached his waist in height. From the looks of it, Legolas had had a very active afternoon, shown by his dirty feet and tousled hair.

Thranduil was already aware of Gandalf's arrival, thanks to one of the guards, so he smiled upon seeing them both. He rose from his throne, spreading both his hands in a welcome gesture.

"Mithrandir, welcome. I trust you had a safe journey here?"

"Ah, yes, the journey was most excellent!" Gandalf agreed. "Although I admit, traveling through the forest would have been a great deal more difficult had I not been shown the way by my excellent guide."

"Is that so?" The king's eyes moved to his son, who was beaming with pride. Legolas finally let go of Gandalf's hand, running to his father and hugging him tightly. He held up his new sack of sweets and indicated that he wanted to share them with the king.

Thranduil kissed his son's head. "Thank you Legolas. I'll take one piece, but you keep the rest to yourself. Take care not to eat them all at once and spoil the evening meal."

Legolas nodded, and once Thranduil had taken one of the sugary treats, he sent the elfling away to change and wash himself for supper. He did not mind Legolas spending his days playing in the forest as any wood-elf should, but he was also a prince and must behave and dress like one when there were guests of any kind, even Gandalf the Grey.

"Your son is growing into a fine young prince," Gandalf told Thranduil, his blue eyes twinkling.

"He certainly is," Thranduil agreed. They had moved into the king's private study, both sitting comfortably so that Gandalf could rest from his travels. "I was not expecting you for at least another moon cycle. Tell me Mithrandir, what news have you brought with you?"

"Lord Elrond has agreed to look into making an antidote for Greenwood's spider situation," the wizard told him. "Have you managed to collect any venom? He'll need plenty to work with in order for anything to be done."

"My soldiers have collected many vials," the king said. "and several lost their lives doing so. The venom is strong; it leaves the victim paralyzed, and it burns a great deal. Even an elf is left immobilized from it, unable to fight until death is too imminent. But even worse is when a full bite happens. It poisons not only the body, but the mind as well. Those who have received a full bite only last hours, even when surrounded by my best healers."

Gandalf listened solemnly. Radagast had told him a similar tale. Outsiders were becoming wary of entering the forest, and some even referred to it as Mirkwood due to the gloomy sickness that seemed to have conjured out of nowhere.

"How has Legolas been faring lately?" Gandalf suddenly asked. Thranduil raised an eyebrow, wondering why Gandalf would bring up his son during such a conversation.

"He's fine. His work with a bow is exemplary for his age, and his relationship with the forest is as strong as ever. Of course I never let him wander too far, for I won't have him going after the arachnids. If they are still a problem when he is older, I have no doubt he will clear a good number of them from Greenwood."

"And what of his language skills? Still not a word out loud, it seems."

The king's eyes narrowed. "No. It has been almost fifteen years since his birth, and five years since he has learned to speak with his hands. I do not expect him to change, nor do I wish it."

"Of course not," Gandalf agreed. "I couldn't be more happier that Legolas took so well to learning the voice of the hands. You know Thranduil, Lord Elrond has not seen Legolas since his birth. Nor has any other outside of the Woodland Realm."

"The mortals of Laketown know of him," Thranduil said mildly, though he tensed.

"Laketown is only a little ways down the river. Legolas is a bright, eager child. He would be fascinated at seeing Rivendell."

"No!" Thranduil snapped, when he finally realized what the old wizard was getting at. "No Mithrandir, I will not be sending Legolas to Imladris!"

"And why not?" Gandalf challenged.

"Because that would be absurd! Legolas is much too young to be traveling alone, and I can hardly leave my kingdom at a time like this."

"He would not be alone. Do you not trust in me to see your son safely to Lord Elrond's home?"

Thranduil closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. "Why are you so eager for him to travel there?"

"Because, King Thranduil of Greenwood the Great, I know exactly what your plan is. You cannot keep Legolas so sheltered from the world! He will not be a child forever, and when he is one day grown, what will become of him if he knows nothing outside of Mirk- Greenwood? Meeting other elves could do wonders for him, and Lord Elrond would also be able to examine Legolas personally."

The king found himself unable to come up with a proper argument of defense. A part of him wanted to stay angry; it was just like Mithrandir to decide that his elfling needed to be socialized with the world. Curse all the wizards of Middle Earth!

"We've long established that his muteness is not a weakness- it doesn't hinder anything else he does. In fact, he's very sharp, and far more intelligent than most elflings are at such an age."

"Thranduil, there is no need to convince me or Elrond of these things," said Gandalf. "It's quite easy to tell that Legolas is a perfectly bright and healthy child."

Thranduil was rather taken aback. "Well, of course he is, but-"

Gandalf appeared to be amused. "Have you forgotten, dear king, that Lord Elrond has raised three children himself, two of them having been veryrambunctious twin boys? He knows how to take care of children."

"I know that," Thranduil relented. "But you see, in Greenwood, we make a very firm effort to reassure Legolas that nothing is wrong with him. I suppose I wouldn't mind Lord Elrond examining my child, but I don't want my little leaf feeling any self-doubt."

"Legolas has nothing to fear. I shall make sure that he is escorted safely and soundly to Rivendell, and once he has arrived, he will no doubt have a very enjoyable time among the Noldor."

Thranduil sighed, his heart already plummeting at the thought of his tiny little elfing so far away from him. Of course he knew how safe Imladris was; it was perhaps even safer for elflings to dwell than Greenwood itself was. He also trusted Gandalf and knew that he would see that Legolas arrived there safely.

But all the same, he was not sure if he could bear being separated from his little companion. Not one day in all of these fifteen years had he ever spent a night away from his son. If he allowed for Legolas to leave with Gandalf, it would be several months before he saw his elfling again.

There was no doubt Legolas would be interested in seeing Imladris, but how would he get by without his ada there? Who would hold him closely each night to sing and watch the stars with him? Who would make sure that he took a bath every day and braided his hair correctly? Surely after the initial excitement had passed, Legolas would grow very homesick.

"I will bring it up to Legolas and see what he thinks," Thranduil finally relented. Gandalf looked very pleased, for they both knew what the outcome would be once Legolas was presented with the opportunity to travel.

Supper at the elven king's table was always a grand affair, and it was something Gandalf looked forward to every time he visited. There was plenty of baked fish and ham, warm buttered potato bread, boiled onions, stewed carrots, greens topped with a sugary vinaigrette, and spice cakes with pudding. Thranduil dismissed the staff once the food had been brought out, and so it was just the three of them at the table. As they tucked into their food, Legolas asked question after question to Gandalf, mostly pertaining to his travels and the people and creatures he had met. Thranduil finally had to intervene, for Legolas had hardly touched his food, seeing as his hands were so occupied with chatter.

Once the meal was finishing, Thranduil decided to test the waters. "Legolas, how would you feel about traveling to Imladris to see Lord Elrond?"

As expected, the elfling's eyes lit up with rapture. He began to speak, his movements too fast and not making total sense. 'Yes Ada! Yes yes yes! When? I'll go!'

"In a few days' time, if you would like to."

'Yes yes yes!'

"You'll be going with Gandalf. He would escourt you there, and then you would spend at least three moon cycles with Lord Elrond's household."

As Thranduil had expected, Legolas seemed to falter at the news that his ada would not be going along with him.

"Imladris is far from Greenwood. If you wanted to come home, it would take many days to return. You must be sure that this is something you would want to do."

Thranduil hated to admit it, but he had wished for Legolas to change his mind and stay home. Legolas was truly his most precious treasure, and to be separated from him would bring forth a great deal of pain to the king.

'I want to go,' Legolas signed. 'But I will miss you very much the entire time I am gone.'

That night, Thranduil held Legolas in his lap as they watched the stars together. The king stroked his son's hair, preparing him for their separation. He reminded Legolas that he would be Greenwood's representative, and so he must remember his manners and be on his best behavior.

"You must mind everything that Lord Elrond says," Thranduil spoke softly, for once not using his own hands so that he could continue to hold his child tightly. "Any rules put forth will be for your own safety. I know Lord Elrond, and he will treat you kindly and fairly. If you have any questions or worries, you must tell him."

Legolas nodded, using his hands to hold a long strand of his ada's hair and gently twisting it around his fingers. Thranduil continued to provide any information he could, on things such as the other elves who resided in Imladris, like the chief advisor Erestor, the balrog slayer Lord Glorfindel, and Lord Elrond's own three children.

"Everyone will love you very much," Thranduil promised. "And you will be very safe there. The journey will be tiring, but you must listen to Mithrandir and do exactly as he says. He will be able to keep you safe during your travels, but only if you listen to him. Do you promise to, ion-nin?"

Legolas nodded once again, though to tucked himself deeper into the king's arms. When he finally fell into rest, eyes glazed over and gleaming with starlight, Thranduil continued to hold him rather than bring him to his bed. He felt no need for sleep, preferring instead to keep watch over his tiny elfling, for soon he would not be able to.

Hoping for some feedback, and then I'll post the second half of the story! :)