A/N: I greet you, my friends :) This is a story I'm writing together with ashley44. The first chapter is written by me, but ashley44 added sme great changes :D Hope you'll like it. Rated T to be safe, mostly because of direct or indirect violence.

Disclaimer: We don't own LOTR, Tolkien does.

The horse, a majestic stallion of such exceptional beauty he brought a feeling of joy and awe to all those who gazed upon him, galloping across the fields, which were bathed in the evening sunlight, had started to become tired. He was gasping for air and knots of sweat were visible on his fur. This could be because of the heat or because of the fact that he was carrying two riders on his back, either way he was a sight to behold.

The one who was sitting at the front, holding the stallion's reins, was a young man with long, blonde hair, sea blue eyes that were scanning the area and pointy ears- an Elf. Around his shoulder, as always, hung a quiver with gold-feathered arrows and a well-made bow. Wherever he was going, he always had his weaponry with him. For Legolas Thranduilion, the prince of the Woodland Realm, was considered by everyone the best archer of Middle Earth.

His companion was a Dwarf, whose axe was hanging by his side. He was clasping Legolas's shoulders with all his strength, afraid of horses as he was. A sigh of relief escaped from his lips when Legolas made the horse slow, caressing the stallion at the same time.

'It is not a surprise that he is tired', Legolas stated softly. 'He has been galloping for many hours now'

'I am glad you realized it' Gimli answered, rubbing his forehead slightly. 'I was starting to think that we would continue in such a speed forever'

Legolas let out a small bit of laughter hearing these words, for he knew very well that, if their destination was the Mines of Moria and not Fangorn Forest, he would tell him to pressure Arod even more. Ever since they had fought against Sauron they had been planning this journey and now the young Elf could not wait to walk through the mysterious forest for one more time, to talk with the Ents and to reminisce everything he had lived five years ago.

The same night, they settled down to rest. Legolas did not bind Arod, knowing that he would never run away. After making sure that his bow and his arrows were near, he lied down next to the fire, staring at the bright flames and singing with a low voice. Except his singing, everything was quiet around. Even the birds were not twittering and not a single breeze was blowing.

The calm before the storm, Gimli thought spontaneously and shuddered. He looked around, trying to pierce the darkness with his eyes, although he did not have the eyesight of the Elves. In a distance, though, he could see a shade, but he comforted himself that it was only an animal.

Two hours later, the fire started to simmer down, but neither Legolas nor Gimli wanted to stand up to bring more branches. In a sudden, the area around them was giving the impression to be full of enemies and threats and both of them had a feeling of suffocation. The situation became even worse when Arod started neighing terrified.

'What is wrong, mellon nin?' Legolas tried to keep his composure. 'What did you see?'

The next second, a sharp noise was heard and an arrow landed next to the prince, only inches away from his neck. With a gasp of surprise and while Arod was still in a fit of panic, the two companions jumped on their feet. With his elven eyes, Legolas could see a shade running away and, ignoring Gimli's calls, climbed on his horse's saddle and rode towards his attacker. As Legolas approached the threat he leaped from his mount to tackle his killer to the ground. With swift movement the elf was able to quickly subdue the dark haired man, and in a matter of minutes the man had been disarmed entirely.

'Who are you?' he hissed. 'What are you doing here?'

But the Man did not utter a single word, pressing his lips together and shaking his head. At that moment Gimli approached them, swinging his axe.

'Who are you, you traitor?' he yelled, lifting his axe over his head.

'Gimli, no!' Legolas prevented him. 'Do not kill him'

'In case you did not realize it, lad, this man just tried to kill you!'

'This is the reason why we need him alive' Legolas explained. 'What if he is not alone? What if he…he is working for someone?'

'Is it true?' Gimli turned to the man again. 'Speak and you will make things easier for all of us'

But, despite their hard attempts, the man did not reveal anything. In the end, the Elf and the Dwarf decided to tie him and bring him to Mirkwood, where Legolas's father, the Elvenking Thranduil, would investigate the case further.

'Who could be behind this?' Legolas wondered while he was walking next to Arod.

'It could be a maiden who admires you, my Prince, and you refused to marry her' Gimli tried to ease the tension, but stopped when he saw his friend's gaze.

King Thranduil's face was pale in the shine of the torches, as he was looking with hate at the man who was tied in a chair. He had already spent many grueling days in the dungeons and the only thing he had revealed was that the prince would never be safe, unless he was dead. Thranduil had tried any possible way to make him say something more, but without result. And although he was a gentle and just king, he knew there was only one thing he could do about the villain.

He nodded to the counsel who was with him and the two Elves left the dungeons with quick pace.

'What do you plan to do with him, my King?'

'I have no other choice but to sentence him to death. Let him be beheaded as fast as possible'

'As you wish, my lord' the counsel bowed his head with respect. Thranduil, though, was already in deep thought of other matters at hand.

'The thing that worries me is what he said about my son' he whispered and the counsel did not know if he was speaking to him or to himself. 'What did he mean when he said that Legolas will not be safe unless he dies? Who hates him so much to want him dead?'

'My King' the counsel started after a small hesitation 'could I suggest something?'

'Of course, tell me'

Only a few hours later, a large group of messengers left the Woodland Realm, with the purpose to travel to every corner of Middle Earth. Their orders were to announce that King Thranduil was giving a big feast in his castle in a month and, wanting to make it asmuch entertaining as possible, a tournament should take place. Whoever wanted to take part, was most welcome.

From his room, Thranduil watched as the messengers were riding away, smiling widely, for he knew very well that this invitation would bring many men in his kingdom.

A/N: Alright, everyone, that was it for now. We hope you enjoyed the chapter and are waiting for any reviews and advice you want to write :)