Disclaimer: No characters and places that resembles another's work is mine.
Some dialogue or scenes may be borrowed from another book.
Summary: When Mirkwood once again is overtaken by darkness, Legolas is sent to deliver a message to Elrond of Rivendell to inform him of the threat. With evil haunting his steps, can Legolas deliver the message in time?
Author's Note: You probably should read "Darkness Descending" and "Darkness Remembered" because I will mention some parts from there and some characters will be mentioned, but this could be a stand alone if you wish.
This story takes place after:
Darkness Descending
Darkness Remembered
And before:
Darkness Breaks
Just to help out a bit: 'word' thoughts "word" speech
Chapter One
Legolas leaned back in his chair, watching the court proceedings with lazy disinterest. He desperately wanted to go out, and maybe go on patrol with Tylendal. His grim friend was currently in Southern Mirkwood, trying to stall the spiders and orcs that are numerous down there.
Nothing of even remote interest has appeared in the couple of hours he had spent in his father's court so far, and considering it was a nice spring day outside, he hoped to get out and maybe practice some of his archery.
He rested his chin in the palm of his hand, and allowed his thoughts to wander wherever they willed. He briefly thought about his old friends, Elladan and Elrohir, who he had not seen in a while.
Lost deep in thought, tuning out the voices around him, he did not notice his father was speaking until he sensed the sudden quiet.
Looking up, he saw the counselors and his father, the King, watching him. Suddenly embarrassed, he shot a glance at his father.
Thranduil sighed. He knew his son did not like the council meetings, but he now was of a legitimate age to begin his duties seriously as a Prince.
"My pardon father, counselors. What was it you had said?" Legolas kept his gaze lowered; glad he wasn't blushing in his embarrassment.
"I asked what you think about if we should send patrols further south, to find cause to the increase in spider and orc numbers." Thranduil replied, watching his son mull it over in his head.
'Legolas just does not want to grow up.' the King mused. It was time for Legolas to start participating in the council's decisions, or at least to give them thought.
"I would say yes, but to go extra armed and with more numbers added to the patrols. The spiders and orcs are more numerous in the south, and it would be better to prepare accordingly." Legolas looked up to meet his father's eyes, and was glad and relieved to see the agreement and satisfaction there.
The counselors nodded, agreeing with his words, and went back to discussing among themselves and Legolas slipped back into this thoughts, though he kept half an ear ready to answer and further questions that came his way.
~*~*~*
'Finally free.' Legolas thought to himself as he walked down the hall to his chambers. Pushing the big oaken door open, he moved to his wardrobe and pulled out a older set of tunic and leggings that he commonly used for weapons practice.
Changing quickly, he grabbed his bow and quiver of arrows and proceeded toward the archery fields. As he slipped back through the door, he saw one of his daily guards that stood within sight of his chamber door nod a greeting to him.
When he was younger, he normally ignored the security around the palace...and around his rooms. Now he was more observant of them.
Returning the greeting, he crossed the courtyard and entered the archery field.
He set his quiver upon the ground by his feet, and contemplated which of the various targets to aim for. Deciding on the second to the farthest, he shifted until he was in front of it and went through the various stretches that would loosen muscles that were stiff from the hours in the council.
Picking an arrow and checking its fletching for flaws, he nocked it upon his bow and drew back the string, sighting along the shaft to the center of the target.
Upon release, he became aware of some one watching. Recognizing who it was without the other having to say anything, Legolas grabbed another arrow and nocked it before the first had even struck the target.
He released the arrow, aiming for the area just to the right of the first, and tried to fire another just to the left. He succeeded, and soon had a row of three arrows in the target.
Legolas turned to the other, and caught him up in an embrace. Tylendal returned the hug, smiling at his old friend.
"Tylendal, your back from patrol! How was it?" The Elven prince asked as the two went to collect their weapons. Tylendal and Legolas had been friends since they were both young, and had some rather thrilling experiences during their young years that had brought them as close as brothers. "Perilous, it was. Long as well. Glad to be home, I am." Tylendal said in that odd way of speaking he had, sighing and brushing his dark brown hair behind his ear. He looked at his friend with a tired gaze as he pulled his marvelous dagger that he had received in his younger years from his belt to help remove one of Legolas's arrows.
They were both older now, equivalent of teenagers. Tylendal had been orphaned while very young, so didn't have a father to keep track over his every move as Legolas's seemed too.
"Come I did to greet you. Just got back. Rest now I will seek." With a final clap on the shoulder, the young Elf left to go to his chambers.
Legolas sighed as he watched his friend. He had been worried about Tylendal while his friend was scouting the south. It was dangerous now, and they both knew it. Every time Tylendal went south, he may not come back.
Legolas shook his head, clearing his thoughts, and went back to his target practice with a grim determination.
~*~*~*
Legolas sighed as he changed once again, into more formal clothing. His father was holding a feast tonight, in remembrance of some ancient happening or whatever, Legolas wasn't sure.
But since it was a feast, he had to dress up. At least he could wear something moderately comfortable. Running a brush quickly through his hair, he readjusted a braid and left the room.
The feasting was outside, since the night was cool and clear. He walked in and almost immediately was confronted by two maidens wishing a dance. He backed off, thinking of a quick excuse, before leaving to find his friend.
Tylendal was talking with the Weapons Master as Legolas walked over. The older Elf nodded to the prince before taking his leave to engage another in conversation.
Singing and dancing broke out, with musicians playing. Food and drink was laid out and the stars overhead were quite brilliant in their glow. Tylendal and Legolas retrieved drink and food before the main host of Elves got to them, and retreated to a more quiet corner of the woods to enjoy the proceedings.
"When do you next go out?" Legolas asked around a savory mouthful of rich wine. He eyed his friend, taking in Tylendal's habitual dark leather tunic and leggings, which were his normal attire, and the knife he always kept nearby. Since going on the patrols into the, now, most dangerous part of Mirkwood, Tylendal had found it hard to break the habit of going armed and dressed in dark, unobtrusive colors.
"Day after tomorrow." Came the other's reply. Legolas nodded, and almost choked on his wine at the sight of Galion, his father's esteemed butler, dancing with a young, tittering maiden. She giggled, twirling and throwing her hair out in a rather fetching manner. Galion had a resigned look upon his face as he danced, which made it more humorous.
Legolas's father, sitting upon a unadorned chair, watched the proceedings with a happy light shining in his eyes, as well as a love for his people. He would hate to have anything happen to his merry subjects, and at the thought his mood was dampened for a moment.
Not so far in the future, the spiders and orcs will grow more numerous, and some of his young Elves in the patrols will never come home. Valar forbid if Legolas was one.
Leaning back, he watched his son discuss amiably with Tylendal about the more important nuances of archery. Tylendal was Legolas's closest friend, and Legolas would be devastated if he was slain while on patrol. Maybe he should pull the young Elf out of the patrols and make him a palace guard. Actually, that idea had merit. He should discuss it with Legolas to see what he thought.
On that happier note, Thranduil returned to the festivities with a lighter heart.
This is a short chapter, sorry, but just wanted to get the idea out! Hope you all like! Whether you do or don't, thanks for reading and I would appreciate reviews!
Summary: When Mirkwood once again is overtaken by darkness, Legolas is sent to deliver a message to Elrond of Rivendell to inform him of the threat. With evil haunting his steps, can Legolas deliver the message in time?
Author's Note: You probably should read "Darkness Descending" and "Darkness Remembered" because I will mention some parts from there and some characters will be mentioned, but this could be a stand alone if you wish.
This story takes place after:
Darkness Descending
Darkness Remembered
And before:
Darkness Breaks
Just to help out a bit: 'word' thoughts "word" speech
Chapter One
Legolas leaned back in his chair, watching the court proceedings with lazy disinterest. He desperately wanted to go out, and maybe go on patrol with Tylendal. His grim friend was currently in Southern Mirkwood, trying to stall the spiders and orcs that are numerous down there.
Nothing of even remote interest has appeared in the couple of hours he had spent in his father's court so far, and considering it was a nice spring day outside, he hoped to get out and maybe practice some of his archery.
He rested his chin in the palm of his hand, and allowed his thoughts to wander wherever they willed. He briefly thought about his old friends, Elladan and Elrohir, who he had not seen in a while.
Lost deep in thought, tuning out the voices around him, he did not notice his father was speaking until he sensed the sudden quiet.
Looking up, he saw the counselors and his father, the King, watching him. Suddenly embarrassed, he shot a glance at his father.
Thranduil sighed. He knew his son did not like the council meetings, but he now was of a legitimate age to begin his duties seriously as a Prince.
"My pardon father, counselors. What was it you had said?" Legolas kept his gaze lowered; glad he wasn't blushing in his embarrassment.
"I asked what you think about if we should send patrols further south, to find cause to the increase in spider and orc numbers." Thranduil replied, watching his son mull it over in his head.
'Legolas just does not want to grow up.' the King mused. It was time for Legolas to start participating in the council's decisions, or at least to give them thought.
"I would say yes, but to go extra armed and with more numbers added to the patrols. The spiders and orcs are more numerous in the south, and it would be better to prepare accordingly." Legolas looked up to meet his father's eyes, and was glad and relieved to see the agreement and satisfaction there.
The counselors nodded, agreeing with his words, and went back to discussing among themselves and Legolas slipped back into this thoughts, though he kept half an ear ready to answer and further questions that came his way.
~*~*~*
'Finally free.' Legolas thought to himself as he walked down the hall to his chambers. Pushing the big oaken door open, he moved to his wardrobe and pulled out a older set of tunic and leggings that he commonly used for weapons practice.
Changing quickly, he grabbed his bow and quiver of arrows and proceeded toward the archery fields. As he slipped back through the door, he saw one of his daily guards that stood within sight of his chamber door nod a greeting to him.
When he was younger, he normally ignored the security around the palace...and around his rooms. Now he was more observant of them.
Returning the greeting, he crossed the courtyard and entered the archery field.
He set his quiver upon the ground by his feet, and contemplated which of the various targets to aim for. Deciding on the second to the farthest, he shifted until he was in front of it and went through the various stretches that would loosen muscles that were stiff from the hours in the council.
Picking an arrow and checking its fletching for flaws, he nocked it upon his bow and drew back the string, sighting along the shaft to the center of the target.
Upon release, he became aware of some one watching. Recognizing who it was without the other having to say anything, Legolas grabbed another arrow and nocked it before the first had even struck the target.
He released the arrow, aiming for the area just to the right of the first, and tried to fire another just to the left. He succeeded, and soon had a row of three arrows in the target.
Legolas turned to the other, and caught him up in an embrace. Tylendal returned the hug, smiling at his old friend.
"Tylendal, your back from patrol! How was it?" The Elven prince asked as the two went to collect their weapons. Tylendal and Legolas had been friends since they were both young, and had some rather thrilling experiences during their young years that had brought them as close as brothers. "Perilous, it was. Long as well. Glad to be home, I am." Tylendal said in that odd way of speaking he had, sighing and brushing his dark brown hair behind his ear. He looked at his friend with a tired gaze as he pulled his marvelous dagger that he had received in his younger years from his belt to help remove one of Legolas's arrows.
They were both older now, equivalent of teenagers. Tylendal had been orphaned while very young, so didn't have a father to keep track over his every move as Legolas's seemed too.
"Come I did to greet you. Just got back. Rest now I will seek." With a final clap on the shoulder, the young Elf left to go to his chambers.
Legolas sighed as he watched his friend. He had been worried about Tylendal while his friend was scouting the south. It was dangerous now, and they both knew it. Every time Tylendal went south, he may not come back.
Legolas shook his head, clearing his thoughts, and went back to his target practice with a grim determination.
~*~*~*
Legolas sighed as he changed once again, into more formal clothing. His father was holding a feast tonight, in remembrance of some ancient happening or whatever, Legolas wasn't sure.
But since it was a feast, he had to dress up. At least he could wear something moderately comfortable. Running a brush quickly through his hair, he readjusted a braid and left the room.
The feasting was outside, since the night was cool and clear. He walked in and almost immediately was confronted by two maidens wishing a dance. He backed off, thinking of a quick excuse, before leaving to find his friend.
Tylendal was talking with the Weapons Master as Legolas walked over. The older Elf nodded to the prince before taking his leave to engage another in conversation.
Singing and dancing broke out, with musicians playing. Food and drink was laid out and the stars overhead were quite brilliant in their glow. Tylendal and Legolas retrieved drink and food before the main host of Elves got to them, and retreated to a more quiet corner of the woods to enjoy the proceedings.
"When do you next go out?" Legolas asked around a savory mouthful of rich wine. He eyed his friend, taking in Tylendal's habitual dark leather tunic and leggings, which were his normal attire, and the knife he always kept nearby. Since going on the patrols into the, now, most dangerous part of Mirkwood, Tylendal had found it hard to break the habit of going armed and dressed in dark, unobtrusive colors.
"Day after tomorrow." Came the other's reply. Legolas nodded, and almost choked on his wine at the sight of Galion, his father's esteemed butler, dancing with a young, tittering maiden. She giggled, twirling and throwing her hair out in a rather fetching manner. Galion had a resigned look upon his face as he danced, which made it more humorous.
Legolas's father, sitting upon a unadorned chair, watched the proceedings with a happy light shining in his eyes, as well as a love for his people. He would hate to have anything happen to his merry subjects, and at the thought his mood was dampened for a moment.
Not so far in the future, the spiders and orcs will grow more numerous, and some of his young Elves in the patrols will never come home. Valar forbid if Legolas was one.
Leaning back, he watched his son discuss amiably with Tylendal about the more important nuances of archery. Tylendal was Legolas's closest friend, and Legolas would be devastated if he was slain while on patrol. Maybe he should pull the young Elf out of the patrols and make him a palace guard. Actually, that idea had merit. He should discuss it with Legolas to see what he thought.
On that happier note, Thranduil returned to the festivities with a lighter heart.
This is a short chapter, sorry, but just wanted to get the idea out! Hope you all like! Whether you do or don't, thanks for reading and I would appreciate reviews!