Flight Of Fate

Chapter Twenty - Home Invasion

The next twenty four hours flew past.

Thranduil had taken Dwalin's advice and allowed Fili to install a recording mechanism which would record all telephone conversations. The technology would also track numbers and locations, which Bard had said would be a point on their side.

Bard worked extensively on the security system, adding the latest software and tweaking everything that he felt needed altering. Gandalf spent a lot of time tapping away on the laptop that he seemed to be surgically attached to, and muttered a lot in the process. Kili and Bofur added more cameras around the property, while Bombur and Dwalin double and triple checked every single locking mechanism on the large premises.

"Such a lot of trouble everyone is going to," Kira murmered sadly as she watched them work.

Legolas opened his mouth to reply, but didn't get the chance.

Thranduil appeared silently behind her and grasped her shoulders, spinning her around at speed and gripping her upper arms. "No-one is going to any trouble," he hissed. "You and our child are worth everything in the world to me, and no expense will be spared in protecting you both. Everyone here is being paid, and paid well. How many times do I have to tell you that I will do anything to keep you safe?" Anger flashed in the ice blue eyes that glared into hers, and she shrunk back slightly.

He sighed regretfully.

"I did not mean to alarm you, my darling," he said in a softer tone. "I'm sorry."

She swallowed nervously. "It's alright...I'm just a bit jumpy, that's all. It isn't your fault."

"I should be trying to reassure you and comfort you, not scare the life out of you," he said. One hand trailed gently through her hair as his eyes searched hers. "I really am sorry, my darling."

"Oh Lord, I'm outta here," Legolas decided as he hauled himself to his feet. "This is heading straight for a PDA situation!"

His father scowled at him as he disappeared into the house, chuckling as he went. "One of these days," he muttered, then turned back to Kira. "You look tired, my love."

"I kept waking up through the night," she admitted.

"I think that perhaps you are fretting and it is disturbing your rest," he said. "You know that you are safe in my arms."

She smiled up at him. "I know. And you'll never know how grateful I am. However...every morning when I wake up, it's still there. It never goes away."

"Actually, it just might," Bard commented from behind the couple. He emerged through the doorway and came to a stop beside them. "I may have uncovered something pretty...what's the word...massive?"

Thranduil frowned. "In what way?"

"Gandalf found a trace through the night and has been following up on it," the dark haired man told him. "He shared it with me when I met him in the hotel restaurant for breakfast, after which I did some digging on my own. And I have to say – if we're right on this, it'll have repercussions that will be felt on the next planet."

Kira's eyes darted between the two males. "What's going on? What have you found?"

Bard's eyes changed as he looked at her. "We're following a pattern of his exact whereabouts each time something happened to you, and it certainly looks like it has been him behind all the attacks," he responded. "With solid proof, he can be arrested and formally charged."

Thranduil's gaze never faltered as he contemplated what he was hearing. "Please let me know when you have something," he said finally. "The sooner we can wrap this up, the better for Kira and our daughter."