Fräynn's POV

As the dawn painted the sky purple, and gave a noble, golden color to the river, I got up, and made my morning routine. Soon, I stood at the gates, wearing my armor and weapons, and gazed the dark, awakening forest. It always reminded me of my carefree, playful times from the past.

Most of the time, I was glad to be the captain of the guard. I was proud of getting to know King Oropher in his last years, and was proud of my close relationship with the royal family – probably, nobody knew about it. For this, I felt responsebility for serving King Thranduil without making any mistake. When I reached that age, I was asked, what would l do with my life, what was a great privilege. Feeling, that I didn't have the chance to repay all what I'd got, the answer was easy. Since then, I was allowed to grant personally his majesty's and the crown prince's safety. What is more, I could command the guards, and keep the realm free from Sauron's killing machines.

I could not imagine a better profession, than saving those, who used to take care of me, when I was little and orphan.

- Flashback –

'LEGOLAS, DON'T RUN SO FAST!' I shouted and turned around, trying to find the prince, but I could barely see anything, it was raining so intensivly. Just an hour earlier, we came out here to the gardens to play some war, or collect pebbles, as we have done almost every time. Then, he told me, he had to find some fire lilies for the crown, he created to his ada. Today was the king's birthday. At night, he would celebrate it on a rich feast, with the adults, so Legolas planned to give his present earlier, in the afternoon.

It was absolutely fine, until he suddenly ran away, facing the woods, what was highly forbidden to us, since we were still just little children. And then, the grey sky darkened, and I couldn't see him anywhere.

Stubborn Legolas! I'm sure I'll be the guilty one, just because I am a little bit older!

'COME BACK! YOU WILL BE IN TROUBLE, IF YOUR ADA FINDS OUT, YOU ARE THERE!

'I NEED THOSE RED ONES!' I heard his voice from somewhere, between the dark trees. I swallowed. A very very VERY bad direction. The sound of the rain hid every other noises near and far. It was always dangerous being there. Now, it was MORE dangerous. I shivered, as the icy drops found their ways to my skin, across my wet clothes. If we got a cold, the king would never again allow us to come here in this life!

'LEGOLAS, I'M BEGGING YOU TO COME BACK! THE RED DOESN'T EVEN SUIT HIM WELL!' I yelled, and hugged myself, trying to keep me as warm, as possible.

'HEY, FRäYNN, THEY GROW HERE SOMEW-' his voice died in mid sentence. I was waiting for him to continue, when a sharp scream cut the air through. I started to run forward immediately, barely watching where to step. My little feet were uncomfortably sliding in the watery boots, and my breathing went heavy from fear. My nanny often told stories about beasts, orcs, and evil men, who were living in the deep forests, and now, I remembered all of them! I panicked, and nearly felt, they were right behind me, when a big hand grabbed my shoulder, making me get a shock. I closed my eyes tightly.

'WAAH, FOR THE VALAR, I SWEAR, I WILL GO BACK FROM HERE, JUST DON'T EAT ME! I SWEAR! I DIDN'T WANT TO COME HERE! I DIDN'T EVEN WANT TO COME IN THE NEAR! PLEASE! DON'T-' I cried with one breath, when the hand landed on my mouth, muting me, and another one turned me back. I found myself opposite the familiar golden trousers, shiny boots and a long, silver sword. The king stared down at me, panting, his hair was a wet mess, but what really frightened me, was the storm in his eyes.

'Where is my son, Fräynn?' he knelt down to me, and held me a little tighter, trying to stop my trembling. His deep voice froze the blood in everybody's veins, but somehow, when he spoke to us, it felt like a warm blanket. I - still being unable to breath or speak - finally let my tears flow, and hid my little face into his cloak. I liked it, it always smelled like lavender. I suddenly felt arms around me, and the soil disappeared under my feet. He continued his run with me, hanging under his arm.

'LEGOLAS GREENLEAF!' he yelled. Alright, that was far from a warm... anything. Every elfling knew, hearing our full name was always a bad omen. Hearing it from our ada's mouth was a good reason to run. And hearing it from King Thranduil's mouth... it was a good reason to never come back!

The little blonde suddenly stepped out from behind a bush, with his gaze landing on the fallen leaves, shamefully. I found myself on my feet again, as the king grabbed Legolas, and fastly studied his small body from head to toe. When it was sure, the little one had no injuries, his eyes darkened, and the color of his face started to remind me of the flowers, we were searching for.

'May. I. Ask.' he started quietly, but I heard his voice tremble from anger. 'What... exactly... have... YOU DONE HERE WITHOUT TELLING A WORD TO ANYBODY?! AND WHY DO I HAVE TO GET A HEART ATTACK, WHEN HEAR THE SCREAM OF MY SON COMING FROM THIS CURSED PLACE?' Legolas's eyes went tearfully, and took shaky breaths.

'SO?!' yelled the ellon now with dark red face, his eyebrows were knitting a line. It was sooo hard not to run away! Legolas looked up at his ada with big eyes. Even when he was kneeling, Thranduil was much taller. The little elfling stepped back to the bush, and coming back, handed a little crown to him, made of branches and some little red flowers.

'Happy birthday to you, ada...' he sobbed.

I heard as the king's jaw landed on the grass. They were staring at each other for some seconds, when Thranduil took his presence and hugged his son, almost breaking him. A huge thunder made me and Legolas jump at least three feet high, and we took our way back to the palace. After my friend stepped out of his shoes, because they were stuck in the mud, the king brought us under his right and left arms - whispering some probably not so nice words in Sindarin.

'Legolas' I whispered, thinking, that his ada doesn't hear it.

'What.'

'Actually, it suits him... but only when he is angry.' we laughed finally.

At the entrance of the throne room, he let go of us, and commanded an elleth to make some hot soup. The lady almost screamed, when took a look at the king, whose once beautiful hair clung to his wet neck, his boots and trousers were totally muddy and there were raindrops even on his eyelashes. But she was cleverer, than saying anything.

'Can I accompany you, ada?'

'It's a war council, ion nîn, I am sorry. It's very important to make a good impression.' said Thranduil, and entered the room, with the red, branchy crown-like patchwork lying on top of his head.

- End of flashback –

I laughed at the memory. Actually, Legolas just noticed a spider on a leave of the bush, and frightened. That was all. But Thranduil could think, orcs were trying to tear him apart, at that moment. After that day, the king ordered all of his guards, if they would see a little blonde and black point moving in the gardens, they had to immediately inform him. Whatever... these moments filled my childhood with light. They made me feel something for others, and make plans for the future, what I thought, I would not even have. Now, there was nothing to do with this, however. Good work brought success, mistake brought punishment. When I was a toddler, it would have been a missed play in the gardens. Now, it could be easily an execution. It didn't depend on, if Thranduil was a good or a bad ruler. He was a good ruler, if he stayed consistent.

'Allow me an early report, captain.' my guard's words tore me out of my thoughts.

'Of course, what would that be?'

°°

I didn't want to believe it, when heard about Noira's action. How could she open that cage and find out where she should have gone to get out of these walls?

The thought, running into the king himself in the dark garden, made me shiver. It could sound creepy, but I was surprised – everybody was surprised – she survived it. If anybody else would have tried to leave his prison, he would have cut the neck without hesitation or worse. That made me curious, anyway. Why was she different?

It was told me, she'd been awoken, even the king had visited her, so I took my way to the dungeons, and hoped, I don't meet his royal highness.

What has this elleth thought?! I'v warned her!

All in all, she was strange and violent, but still innocent, and I truly wished a peaceful life for her here, in the Woodland Realm. Unfortunately, after her last act, she surely lost her chance for this. 

Oh, and I was worried for myself, of course, since I had some business with the mentioned escape. It was called personal responsibility. Furthermore, nobody in our history, nobody had escaped from these dungeons ever!

I could feel Thranduil's invisible blade on my neck.

I was walking – actually running – to the dark cell at the end of the corridor, just to see it was empty. I missed a breath.

He... he killed her!

'Captain, allow me to make my report about the movements of the night.' I heard a familiar voice from behind.

'Ah... Aleros! You may speak.' I turned toward the red haired ellon, my youngest guard. He was still a beginner, but with his ambitious nature, he became my right hand quickly. He told me how they destroyed new nets and spiders last night, how they were checking if there were new orc hordes in the near and finally, he spoke about the king's last visit.

'Excuse me... where?' I asked back in disbelief.

'In the healing room. That was his majesty's command.' he looked at me strangely, then I realised, my mouth stayed open.

'Thank you... You're dismissed.' As he walked away, I took my way to the king's study.

Fräynn, my friend, you won't get away with it.

In five minutes, I was standing in front of his door, but before knocking, took some deep breaths. I had to find my voice.

Thranduil's POV

'Not this time.' I stated patiently and left my son behind as I continued my walk to my study. I didn't have the mood to talk about the irritating movements of the last days, I didn't have the mood to even think about them. When I came back from my thoughts again, he was right in front of me. I almost crashed to him.

'Get out of my way, Legolas.' I said, this time coldly, and after a pause, he stepped aside. Just after I arrived to my desk and turned to sit down, realised his presence in the room.

'Hhh... I thought, I made it clear. I do not owe an explanation for anyone, my son, and if you'll excuse me' I sat down finally 'I have duties-'

'Duties, like meetings, you've missed in the last few days?' he said, also being surprised from his own sudden words. His face went immediately red, as he saw my questioning look.

'When exactly have I allowed you using a style like this in my presence?' I didn't want to believe his disrespect. He swallowed.

'Adar...' Legolas started on an apologizing voice 'please, let me know, what happened between you and that elleth. I need to know.' he stepped closer to me. 'There's something wrong with her, isn't there? Since she is here, you are not yourself.'

'You should be thankful.' I hissed, reminded him of the training room moment with Tauriel, and he finally closed his mouth. My temporary calmness disappeared as I replayed my son's betrayal. Let's do something with it later...

'Now, leave.' I looked down to my paperwork and chose to ignore his presence. I had to preserve my prestige and avoid the further conniptions, if it was just possible.

'Still... I need to know, adar' I gasped in surprise as felt his hand on mine 'because you shouted naneth's name.' he said, his voice was nearly a whisper.

My eyes widened.

HOW? HAVE I YELLED IT OUT LOUD?!

He was standing in front of me, like he used to do as a little elfling. Innocently, unguarded, waiting for even a word about his beloved mother. I felt sorry for him, but was sure, I wouldn't discuss now this kind of topic. My nerves needed rest. A LOT. And not this hurtful pressure in my throat. I quickly closed my eyes, as it suddenly started to fill with tears.

'Leave' I whispered. He was standing there a little more, waiting for me changing my mind, but I didn't. He turned then, and left the study. Just when I heard the door closing, let out a sigh, I was holding. I picked the first thing in my hand's way up, what was an ornate vase, and threw it toward the entrance. It was in the air, halfway, when I heard a silent knock.

*BOOM*

'Hhh...' excellent timing 'You may come in' I said, and saw entering a quite frightened Fräynn. He bowed deeply, took a look at the broken vase and opened his mouth to... probably to make me go insane.

'Captain, your responsibility will be discussed on the council, tomorrow morning. Until then, you are dismissed.' I looked up at him with my murdering look, and he quickly understood, what would happen, if he stayed.

Very clever!

'My King, what fate may you destine to-'

'Even my smallest problem is bigger than that traitor' I lied, as poured a glass of wine for myself, and turned my back to him 'Until tomorrow.' I ended our meeting.

A moment later – alone - I could calm down with so serious problems, that what would I wear on the next great feast, or how many bottle of wine would be necessary for my guests.

Paradise... - as men used to say.

Fräynn's POV

I was thinking of the morning meeting and my probable future, when heard a weak voice from behind. 'Excuse me, could you repeat it?' I asked as turned back, and realised, the voice owed to a beautiful, blonde elleth.

'I am sorry for disturbing you, Sir. Well... King Thranduil has sent for me, but I am afraid, I need to wait for another time to speak with him, because his guards just turned me back. I am not familiar here, could you help me where to go now? I... I know, it's surely out of your competence, but I didn't find anybody else, who could-'

'It's alright' I smiled at her 'Tell me what business you have' I offered my arm and she accepted. '...maybe, beginning with your name.'

°°

When I entered the healing room, Noira was already awaken, and was smelling a piece of athelas with a comically distrustful face. For the sound of the closing doors, she quickly took it back onto the little table, what standed next to her bed, and greeted me with a nervous smirk.

I stopped at her feet, thinking of what to say, and an awkward silence followed. I could ask her to tell me, what she had done at the previous night, but I'd already known everything about it. I could ask her about the reasons, but the reasons of 'escaping a dungeon' were more than clear. And I could tell her about the consequences, but I didn't have any idea. The king's behavior went totally unpredictable, since she took her feet into this palace for the very first time. I wasn't sure, how his majesty would react for my proposal too, by the way.

She opened her mouth firstly.

'What will happen with me now?' said, looking away.

'I was thinking about it a lot' I confessed, and started to walk in the room, while continued 'His royal highness is not interested in discussing your future at the moment, but according to our laws, you cannot stay here, after you are fully healed. Until he will have time to deal with your case... I have a deal for you.' our gaze met and she furrowed her brows. 'You will be allowed to work in the palace. I can not set you free, but it grants you to leave the dungeons in daytime, and breathe some fresh air. You have to do as we say, and keep in mind, if you'll attempt to escape once more, your punishment will be immediate execution. So...' I finally stopped 'A deal?'

'... Thank you!' Noira nodded a minute later, still being unable to hide her astonishment, and made a smile from ear to ear. She didn't hope to survive the day. Well, I still didn't know if she would...

I smiled back and ordered a maiden to make a hot bath to her. 'You can use the bathchamber, and you will find there some dresses, you should wear since now. Tomorrow, you'll meet your leader, she would say then everything, you need to know.' I turned to leave, when felt her hand on mine.

'Fräynn... Don't get yourself into trouble for me, okay?' she took a glad look at me.

Third Person's POV

On the next morning, a guard woke Noira up, and led her to the gardens. It was raining, the sky wasn't even visible from the dark clouds, and the wind was so strong, it tore the green leaves hardly and totally cooled the hot summer air down. She inhaled deeply, it impressed her. The ellon left her when a figure appeared in the far. An elleth run toward her, keeping her hands above her head, and Noira could realise her face only when she almost arrived.

'Zella? It is nice to see you again. What brings you here?' Noira waved to the blonde elleth.

She made a shy smile and swept a strand of wet hair away from her face. 'My lady, it's a pleasure. I'm afraid, I'm your leader from now on, as long as you will work here in the palace. It is my first workday too, so... we are both beginners.' she smiled and turned around. 'I'm supposed to fill these gardens with life again, and in this way, you need to work outside too. I hope it's not a problem to you.'

'Oh, it's more, than perfect, actually.' she smiled brightly and was glad for the stormy weather. Even the memory of the hot day, when she arrived to Mirkwood, made her feel sick. 'What's the matter?' the warrior asked, when realised, Zella was staring at her worriedly.

'You're still wearing your armor. I'm sorry, but it's not allowed anymore. Please, from tomorrow, choose one of your new clothes. You... just cannot be walking in these clothes here, in front of the eyes of the nobility.'

At least, the armor won't be a dirty mess before noon... - Noira thought, but changed her answer. 

'Alright, I've got it... I don't want to cause you trouble. But now, tell me, how did you end up here?'

The two elleths started their work, measured the condition of the several little gardens, and made plans to refresh them. While they were taking the flower boxes to their places, Zella told Noira, how she arrived to the palace on the previous day, how she couldn't even speak a word with his majesty, but she finally met the captain and he helped her to find her place and job here, and also informed her about her presence in the healing room. He was the person, who let them work together, after all, they knew each other – a little. Noira nodded in agreement, when the elleth said, Fräynn had a golden heart, and she finally introduced herself, avoiding that Zella would call her 'my lady' till the end of time.

They enjoyed the hard work on the fresh air, inhaling the smell of the wet ground, laughed loudly and didn't even surmised, somebody was watching them from the far.