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Mastermind
by Aranel Laerien
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Chapter V – Away
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“What happened?” Legolas asked hazily. He could only tell that he was in a room and some familiar Elves were hovering around.

“The spiders retreated.”

“Oh.” He drifted back into unconsciousness.

Over the next few days, he grew better refreshed as the poison was now purged from his body. He found out that his command had suffered many casualties – not a single Elf had been uninjured. But just when they had thought all was lost, the Spiders, discouraged by their strong resistance, finally retreated into their nests.

Most of the patrol had been declared ready to leave the Rooms of Healing, except Legolas – it would seem that his wrist was badly injured after all, though Legolas was convinced that it was recovering fast. Hendur came to sit at his bed as soon as he was released – almost a month after the incident.

“Thank you,” Hendur said quietly.

Legolas frowned. “For?”

“For saving my life,” he went on at Legolas’ confused expression, “the blade you threw…”

“Oh, that,” Legolas recollection of it was rather indistinct. “Think nothing of it, my friend.”

“But I remain grateful for it.” Hendur’s tired smile showed how much he meant it, though there was something queerly over-sincere in it that Legolas could not pinpoint. “I’ll protect you with my every strength, with my life if needs be.”

Legolas only shook his head. “I should have been more wary than to lead you into such a trap.”

Hendur looked around to confirm that no one else was around. He dropped his voice. “Legolas,” he liked the feel of calling his Prince by name, “do not dwell on what those ignorant Elves say. They were not there, they do not know of what they speak.”

Legolas remained unconvinced. “I am too young to measure up for such a responsibility.”

“Haven’t you always said that experience is not all that counts?” Hendur immediately challenged this.

Before Legolas could reply, Thranduil came in. Hendur quickly excused himself. He stopped outside the room, trying to concentrate on what the elves were saying within.

Thranduil sighed. “Legolas, there is much debate over your capabilities with regards to this accident.”

Legolas tensed immediately. He could see where this was heading. Thranduil paused, the turmoil within him showing as he strove to continue speaking.

“Much as I am unwilling, I shall have to ask that you surrender command.”

Legolas nodded numbly and brought over his blade from the side table, absently tracing the engravings before he parted with it. He had received it only not too long ago, and had proven himself unworthy of it so quickly... He handed it over mutedly.

“Perhaps you may wish to journey to Imladris,” Thranduil suggested, knowing how the haven would prove conducive to anyone who sought for peace.

Legolas nodded again.

“The healers wish to add that your wrist is sufficiently healed for such a journey, though you should take care not to jar it.”

“Thank you,” Legolas managed, still averting his father’s concerned eyes.

A day later, he left the ward to make preparations to depart.

“You’re leaving?” Hendur met him along the corridors.

“Yes.” His eyes looked vacant.

Hendur had a look of disbelief on his face. “But where will you go?”

Legolas was silent. He did not wish to implicate the youth in this. “You need not know,” he replied finally.

“Then I’ll come with you!” Hendur quickly put in, “I’ll speak to ada. He’ll let me come!”

“He won’t.”

Hendur had already run off. Legolas sighed and walked on. Which Elf with any sense would give his son leave to follow him, when he had twice led his charges to disaster?

Not too long later, Hendur could only watch glumly from his window as Legolas passed through the gates out of the compounds, alone.