Disclaimer: Tolkien's masterpiece. I'm just messing around with it.

Author's Notes:

Hi! Long time no see I guess? I'm sorry about the long wait. No, I have not abandoned this story but it will take time. I'm currently writing now but if you would like to check progress, you can see it in my bio. This isn't a very long chapter but there is not much I can do. I have another lot of exams coming up and I do what I can.

Please note that I will not update again for a LONG time. I have decided that I will upload the rest of the chapters I have planned WHEN I HAVE FINISHED THE ENTIRE STORY. I am sorry if you have to wait again but I want to fix the many continuity errors in the story and ensure that it has a cohesive plot. So don't worry, I do hope to finish it with the best of my ability, whenever possible. I can only hope that you understand.

Many thanks to my faithful reviewers and those that have added me to their favourites or Author Alert lists. I appreciate it very very much. I regret that I cannot reply to my reviewers individually as I am very busy but I would like to say thank you. I know it's not enough but I hope I can give you more in the future. Now onto the story…btw, I'm using the horizontal rule because the asterisks don't upload anymore, I apologise if you don't like it though. Could someone tell me how to upload asterisks? I prefer using them...saves time...took me an hour to upload :(

Elrond's reaction…Legolas' thoughts are in italics.

"So, you finally decide to grace us with your presence Herendil son of Renendil and Meleris son of Varsis?" Thranduil said coolly. "You are late."

"I apologise for my lateness but Herendil has not recovered-" Meleris tried to explain.

Thranduil waved his hand. "I don't want any excuses. We've wasted enough time waiting for you as it is. Now I must remind you that this is an investigation but it will be held like a trial. You must be prompt or other wise it is an act of contempt towards the court, understand? You will be dealt with, Meleris and Herendil, just like everyone else. We all want this trial to be over with as soon as possible. I will forgive this once but only once, is that clear?"

Both of them nodded. Meleris wisely held his tongue. He knew that he had not made a good first impression. It was not a good start to a major investigation.

"I must remind all the parties involved in this investigation that I am an impartial participator. This trial is to remain secret on the penalty of exile." Thranduil's voice boomed clearly through the large room. "Be seated."

"Will the prosecution now present their statement to the court?" Thranduil ordered.

Herendil stood up and walked to the centre of the room, as was the procedure. For the first time he noticed his foster father sitting there. Githil's hands were tied. His head was held up and his hair was done in its usual warrior plaits. He had not changed at all.

"Yes, My King." Herendil hesitantly cleared his throat and began to read his statement. He was glad that Meleris had good handwriting. He was reading well, until he reached a painful part. "He…Githil…he…he…" Herendil just couldn't say it. He throat felt dry.

"Go on," Thranduil urged. The King did not mean to sound impatient, for his voice had softened slightly. But to Herendil, the King appeared to be unsympathetic.

Meleris wanted to reach out to Herendil, but he was too far away. Meleris and Herendil both knew about investigations, they had to study them as part of the warrior training series but…they had never thought they would actually need to use this information. Meleris felt a pang of guilt. He should have warned Herendil that the King would be indifferent. His role demanded that he assume the innocence of the defendant. The judge's role was not to take sides, rather to listen to each side and determine which was more probable. Meleris did all he could do – he gave Herendil an encouraging smile.

Herendil smiled back but it faltered when he saw the smirk on Githil's face. Githil had a mocking look and his eyebrows were raised in a challenge.

"He…" Herendil began again. "He…I'm sorry." Herendil couldn't face it. Githil was staring hard at him. "I can't say it. I can't…" Herendil stared at the room and it started to spin around him.

Meleris rushed to him – not caring about the rules of the court. "Breathe," he instructed. Herendil took a small breath. "Slowly. Keep going." He put his arm around his friend to comfort him.

"May I request a short recess?" Meleris asked.

"Certainly," the King agreed. "But you must remain in the room." The King gave Meleris a mildly sympathetic look. "I'm sorry but it is a rule."

Meleris nodded in understanding. He could read the look in the King's eyes. It was almost an apology for yesterday and today. The King seemed tired, Meleris observed but he quickly shook himself out of it. He pushed the thought back and tended to Herendil.

Githil said nothing. He sat on the other side of the room and stared out of the window. Meleris looked over at Githil and noticed that Githil was not very old. Meleris remembered that even though this Elf was Herendil's foster father, he was Ruthiun's brother therefore only making him only several centuries older than Herendil himself. It was not even close to a millennia's age difference.

Herendil composed himself after a few minutes but his cheeks were faintly flushed with embarrassment. "I made a fool out of myself. The King thinks I'm weak," Herendil whispered so that only Meleris could hear.

"No, the King does not think of such a thing. He merely has to be cold because his position demands it," Meleris explained in an undertone. "The court must have rules and justice."

Herendil did not seem entirely persuaded but he nodded anyway.

"I had some lembas leftover from breakfast, have some? You need some extra energy. I know that you didn't eat much because you were nervous," Meleris said in an insistent voice.

Herendil just looked silently at the bread and began to eat. A pair of cold eyes was trained on him from the other side of the room. Watching him.

The twins and Legolas were eating lunch early.

"So what do you want to do, Legolas?" Elladan asked. Because he was the oldest of all of the elflings, he naturally assumed his role as the leader.

"I want to play more games. Yesterday was fun. What do you think Elrohir?" Legolas asked shyly. Legolas was beginning to think for himself, however, he was always considerate of other people's opinions.

"I like that idea. Do you want to play 'Seek' again?" Elrohir suggested. "Or we could teach you…"

"…one of our favourite games…"

"…which has lots of running…"

"…and is heaps fun," Elladan added.

Legolas smiled. "Sure."

"Its called 'Elves and Orcs'. We can explain the rules when we get outside," Elrohir said mysteriously.

The twins both laughed and looked outside. Legolas could see that it was a cloudy day, but the twins did not seem concerned. Rather it seemed that they brought sunshine to cloudy days.

There was a light knock on the door.

"Come in," Elrond said, trying not to let his weariness show in his voice. It was well disguised but Glorfindel could see through it. Glorfindel put a comforting hand of his Lord's shoulder. "Please sit."

The advisors sat down, each acknowledging their Lord with a polite nod.

One of the advisors held a plate in her hand. "Excuse, Lord Elrond, I don't believe that you have eaten yet. I brought some food for you. I thought that you might be hungry…" The advisor avoided Elrond's gaze and blushed.

"Thank you." Elrond gave a genuine smile and accept the plate with gratitude. "Are we all refreshed? Good. Let's discuss the alliance again. Any questions?"

"Forgive me, Lord Elrond, but I want to ask you…what do you think Thranduil's motive is?"

Elrond's smile faltered. "Why do you speak as it this is an evil plan?"

"Because, it could be."

The room gasped collectively.

Elrond's face darkened. "So you think that this is a ploy, some sort of trap so that Thranduil can manipulate Imladris? King Thranduil wants more power so he decides he wants an alliance with Imladris? He needs to steal money from us. He's a monster, he's going to send an army when we least expect it so he can invade Imladris. Is that right?" Elrond said this in a very soft tone.

"Perhaps," the advisor said. "You have made some valid points, My Lord."

Another advisor came forward, "This could perhaps be a plan to use us. He could ask us for help if he continues making enemies…"

"I've heard that he is also sending envoys to Lorien…"

Everyone started talking at once, suggest the reasons that King Thranduil may have for using Imladris. Elrond sat in disgusted disbelief. His advisors were so quick to condemn but so slow in forgiving. Where are we going to, if these close-minded Elves are the representatives, the future, of Imladris?

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