A/N: I do not own anything except character's not found in the books/movies. LoTR belongs solely to J.R.R Tolkien.
Rated: T
I have two stories going I will write for both - no worries, review and share your thoughts?
Find updates on my Tumblr account ( android-master . tumblr . com/ )
On a side note: Yes I have Morfindiel and Hithon in this story as I do my other one. NO they are not the same in both. Same looks, same personality, DIFFERENT ROLES.
By the way, the words in Elvish you can find the translation of them at the bottom.
Enjoy!
Never Again
Chapter 1: Ambush
Weary horses trekked upon the cold dirt floor. Each step was like a drum, one hoof pounding the ground after the other. In all there was twelve riders making their way through the dark Mirkwood forest under the gleaming moonlight.
Two of most importance rode in the middle of this strange party; similar in looks but different with their motions. The older one looked tired and agitated, while the one much younger was full of life. He longed to slap the reins down and move at a faster pace – eager to reach their set destination.
"Patience, ion-nin." Thranduil sighed, shaking his head at the young elf.
His son gave off a huff of annoyance. "Ada, the trip would be shorter if only we move faster." Legolas complained.
His father chuckled and said; "Eager to see Estel, it seems."
"-and all of Rivendell, of course." The blonde elf added, smiling up at the stars.
The pair had not visited the Elven place for quite some time. It was hard for Thranduil to take leave from his duties in Mirkwood, much less let his son go without him. In secret he feared for the boy due to past times when Legolas took a journey – not always coming back unscathed.
Legolas was at an age where Thranduil couldn't use it as an excuse anymore not for him to go off on his own though, for he has been for a while. He was an excellent bowman, capable of doing much more than train. However still young he felt his son to be. He would never think of him as anything more than an Elfling.
"Something troubles you?" Legolas asked, breaking his father from his thoughts.
"Nothing to bear upon you penneth." He replied quickly. With a sigh he gave into the elf's icy blue eyes, "Go and ride ahead. But not too far!"
Legolas hesitated, not completely satisfied with the answer, but after a moment slapped down the reins in his excited palms and kicked the horse onward. In a moment the last tips of his blonde hair faded into the darkened path.
"You really think it to be safe hir-nin?" said a dark haired elf riding up beside the King.
"He will be fine, Morfindiel." Thranduil replied, more to himself than anyone. "I had to let him do something to stop fidgeting." He stared ahead into the dark forest that he has known so well. Known well enough the dangers that lie here as well.
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Legolas felt better the moment his horse gained flight. He watched as the light of the torches disappeared behind him and darkness enclosed around the elf. He knew the path well enough to ride without sight; all thanks to his many trips to Rivendell. Of course, not all with permission.
He let his mind stray into the times when he would sneak away and visit Aragorn and the Twins. They would test their skills against one another in battle and stalk the many halls of Lord Elrond's home, searching for each other in a game.
In the morning Elrond would sigh at the presence of the Elf Prince and return him home with guards at his side. He would return to find his father in a tired and stressful state, and get scowled at before receiving a loving hug. Good times.
He couldn't wait to reach Rivendell.
Yet lost in his thoughts he didn't notice the faint glimmer among the trees. However, he didn't have as lucky as a time – for the ones with the light noticed him. Just as planned.
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"Ah, the young Prince as ridden ahead of the group. Good old Thranduil letting his boy have a little fun." A voice laughed in mockery, hidden secretly in the bushes.
A silver haired elf ordered his men to cease the flaming torches, and thus they did. They relied only on the moonlight as they made out the rider's silhouette.
"Quick, you know the plan!" The elf hissed and unsheathed his delicate dagger. The moon reflected its black handle and it softly laid its eyes upon the silver blade. He could imagine it dripping with the blood of his victim and felt a sweet sensation ripple through his body.
'You asked for this, hir-nin.' He whispered to himself and slowly crept out onto the pathway.
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Legolas slowed his pace, remembering the words of his father. Though it irritated him he respected the wisdom of the elf King and decided not to go any farther. Impatient, he peered around the forest listening to the rustling of the trees.
Yet there was something different about them. Almost as if they were screaming at him to run, run with the speed of light. He found this odd but didn't dwell on it. He knew he had to stay where he was until his father and the other elves arrived.
Snap!
A twig cried out in pain to his left and his head instantly shot to the side. Slowly he moved his hands to his ivy knives, ready and waiting.
He waited, and waited. Yet not another sound was heard. 'Don't be so tense.' He scolded himself and withdrew his grip from the blades.
It was almost instantly when he did that did an ambush begin.
A figure of the night leaped from the shadowy bushes and tackled the unsuspecting elf. Legolas yelped in surprise as he fell from the saddle of his horse to the ground. The horse reared up with a cry of freight and sprinted off back towards the direction of his father – carrying his bow and quiver with it.
However, he didn't stay on the ground for long. Legolas was swift and jumped to his nimble feet, twisting his knives out in front to face his attacker.
The moment the moonlight revealed the enemy's face his heart dropped to his stomach.
"Hithon?"
The silver haired elf gave the boy a menacing smile and he lashed out with his deadly dagger. Legolas dropped to the floor and rolled off to the side, then jumped back upon his feet.
"I go by Vehiron now!" Hithon spat and waved his hand in the air as if signaling.
That is exactly what it was; a signal.
Instantly more elves shouted their battle cries and dropped from the overhanging trees, posing another threat to the elf Prince.
"Why?" Legolas asked, not wanting to believe what his eyes were seeing.
He whipped around and blocked a blow from an elf and kicked him backwards, bringing his knives around to block another. Legolas held out his longest but he was overwhelmed by the enemies soon enough. There were too many to take on.
The elves leaped and wrestled him onto the ground, binding his wrists and ankles to make sure he wouldn't dare escape.
Vehiron walked over and took a handful of the Prince's hair, yanking it to bring him to his knees. Legolas didn't give the satisfaction of crying out – no matter how it hurt.
"Boys, he looks too well kempt. Give his dear ada something to look at when he arrives."
The devilish elves cheered and took their turns kicking or slashing the elf with their blades, while Vehiron stood over laughing into the night.
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Thranduil knew something was wrong. It was a feeling within that told him the forest held a new danger within it tonight. He slowed his horse to a stop and listened, waiting for a sound of some kind.
"Mofindiel, something is wrong-" he started, but was cut off by the pounded of hooves.
The fiery torches casted their light upon the horse, revealing it to be his son's…but without a rider in sight.
"Legolas!" he cried out and slapped down the reins.
He was off instantly, closely followed by the guards. Morfindiel grabbed the loose reins of the Prince's horse and tied it to his own before following. He tried not to notice the bow and quiver that were strapped solitary to the horse's saddle. It meant Legolas was with only his knives – when he would be better off with his bow and arrows.
Morfindiel caught up soon to the group as they galloped across the dirt pathway. He could sense the fear and dread from the King like ocean waves. Each hitting the shore with a different passion. The King was right, something was definitely wrong.
Language Translation
- Hir-nin: My Lord
- Ada: Dad/Daddy
- Ion-nin: My Son
- Penneth: Young One