The Lost Hope

Chapter XXVI

Thranduil's pov

I hated this whole situation. Especially when I saw the surprise in the elves' faces. It made me uneasy knowing that all the elves were uncertain about the adventure.

Not only that, but Legolas seemed stressed about the adventure. He didn't talk, and he was clenching his fists throughout the entire meeting. I could see frustration in his eyes, which I have never seen before.

That didn't reassure me at all.

When the meeting concluded, I was about to leave the garden when I hear a familiar voice behind me.

"Lord Thranduil, you seem troubled." Cindor approaches me.

"I am." I reply.

"Is it about the company?"

"Yes, the reactions from the elves make me concerned." I turn towards him. "You will be able to handle it correct?"

Cindor nods. "I am always up for the challenge."

I raise my eyebrows. "I am sure my son will provide enough challenge for you."

Cindor laughs half-heartedly. "Luckily I know Legolas and know ways to prevent him from being reckless. I doubt it will get that bad though."

I relax a little. I was still worried about the journey. The trip to Gundabad wouldn't be easy, and I didn't want anything to happen to my only son.

"I will trust you then. Please report back when you reach Gundabad with one of the messengers." I tell him. "I can send out additional help if needed, just send a messenger to inform me."

"I will do that."

I nod, pleased with his response. Cindor walks over to Legolas, who I was surprised to see still here. They start talking and Legolas seems to relax a little.

I left the garden, feeling a little better than before. I felt that Cindor was reliable, and he has the confidence to keep the company on the proper track.

I enter into another meeting hall, where a group of elves were gathered together. Many of them looked weary. I was surprised to see them, as they were the elves in charge of training the new elves.

"What happened?" I ask.

The elf in lead of the group straightened his posture, just to bow at me right after. "Lord Thranduil it seems that orc activity increased along the boarders, and Serion asked us to help the guard protect the walls. I am afraid they may be getting too difficult to deal with at the rate of our training."

"Explain more." I demand, tension rising within me.

"There was a symbol on the shoulder of the orcs, and it concerns us. I saw them glowing while we were fighting them." He pauses, probably looking for a reaction. "They gained more power when they glow."

I curse in my head. "Were you able to kill all of them?"

The elf pauses. "Yes but with many casualties." I could see the pain in his eyes as he says it.

I nod. "Then you guys take a break today. Continue training tomorrow. Teach the elves about the techniques that worked the best to defeat them."

The elves nod, most of them feeling relieved to have the rest of the day off. They disperse, and I continue walking to my destination.

I needed some time alone to think.

I reach my room and close the door behind me. I head over to my bed, which was made by some of the castle servants this morning. I laid down on the bed, feeling the comfort of the silk blankets on my hands.

I try to calm myself down, without any success. Slowly I start feeling a stabbing pain on my hands.

I pull them up and watch as the skin pulls back. It hurt, and while I have had this for the past 500 years, it still hurts every time. I place my other hand on top of it, pressing down on it. It surprisingly helps eliminate some of the pain.

It takes a couple minutes for it to end. My skin pulls back and mends itself. The pain goes away as fast as it came, and I was left feeling nothing but the bed underneath me.

I rest my hands down by my sides. I haven't had these pains as often since Legolas returned, and it made me question the things Cindor mentioned a few days ago.

Maybe showing more love and care towards Legolas had started to heal the spite within me.