Author's note : Well I might as well start with a disclaimer of some sort... Just as every other story here, most of the characters, places and events are part of J.R.R. Tolkien's world. (Except for Willow and a few other characters)

I guess that this story is an alternate universe, although I shall attempt to remain as faithful as possible to the actually story, of course this won't be possible for certain parts but hey! Its AU so it doesn't really matter, but I like my stories to be as accurate as possible.

It starts around 3000 years before and quickly progresses through time. Just to let you know the first half of the fic is mostly romantic mushy stuff (not too much I hope) and then later in its sequel there's going to be alot more action. The main character, Willow is loosely based on Anne of Green Gables and a multitude of other characters that I have observed throughout my lifetime… I hope you like and if you feel like dropping me a line or too, feel free to do so!

Ciao!

Sleepy Willow

Prologue

Evil is stirring

Long ago in the creeping depths of Mount Doom, where the Evil Sauron crafted his malevolent Ring of Power, it was known the last alliance of Men and Elves would come to attempt to cast his evil away. Of course the Dark Lord knew these attempts would be vain and leave a trail of lost souls and newfound terror amongst the people of Middle-Earth. Therefore it was to his best judgement to allow himself to prevail in case of a nearly impossible defeat. With these thoughts in mind he believed that a successor would become necessary. In that course of action Sauron began to transfer part of his strength and power onto another being. Realising if his unlikely destruction would come to pass his successor would also be vanquished. He believed it would be best if his heir not be alive until the right time. This is when the Dark Lord chose a pair of Elves to bear this other being who would be bound to the ring and its power to become Sauron's ally. By doing so the Elves would unknowingly carry the heir of Sauron's evil empire. This was accomplished when Sauron had disguised himself and deceived many elves, he casted his malediction upon a pair of Elves. Reuel' and his wife Alleun, two Wood Elves of the Realm of Mirkwood where the unhappy chosen ones to carry the destruction of the Free Peoples of Middle-Earth. Then came the battle on the slopes of Mount Doom where Sauron was destroyed by Isildur...

One thousand years have passed since the apparent defeat of Sauron, when Reuel' and Alleun were expecting their first and only child. It was a happier time in Mirkwood, the tales of the ring was in the far end of people's mind, yet something seemed unnatural with Reuel' and Alleun. They felt as if their unborn child was cursed. The elven couple worried and seeked the council of those who could help .They went to the Istari, where their story was told and was grasped by the powerful wizards. Reuel' and Alleun's tale seemed very familiar to the Istari who immediately consulted their book of prophecies and tales of the previous age. Then they saw it. It was in Sauron's journals where he spoke of creating an offspring. Fortunately for Middle-Earth a trail of evidence was left behind as well as a way to end it. To reverse Sauron's spell over the unborn Elf, Reuel' and Alleun would have to pay the ultimate sacrifice to save Middle-Earth and their child.

The Istari urged the Elven couple to journey to Rivendell to settle the matter with the Council of Elrond, for this was not a mere matter of an endangered child, but all of Middle-Earth would suffer from this. It was then clarified what had to be done to unseal the child's fate. It was stressed that the offspring would be bound to the ring's powers and could very well bring another dark age, however if the offspring was destroyed it was uncovered that the strength and power Sauron bestowed upon the successor would return to Sauron where he would arise ever more powerful. "Yet if the effects were to be reversed... Can they be reversed?" asked Reuel' with concerned alarm.

Elrond's face darkened and spoke : "Yes, they can, but this would require you to pay the ultimate sacrifice."

"Which is?" requested Alleun.

"The texts say that the bearers of the offspring must become Orcs to reverse the spell." Spoke Elrond.

In a darker corner of the council spoke a voice " But that is not all... Becoming Orcs is not enough... You must give yourselves freely to them."

Silence drew in the council. Every representative present seemed uneasy and bowed their head in sympathy. Alleun was the first to break the mournful silence: "Will this mean that my child shall be left unharmed? And what of its powers you claim it possesses?"

The representative of the Istari arose and confirmed: "Yes the offspring would be left unharmed and" He paused to let Alleun and Reuel' let out sighs of relief before continuing, "By doing so the offspring becomes not an instrument of evil, but a force to defeat it."

The dark voice from the corner spoke out: "And how do we know this? How can we be certain that this offspring shall not join the Dark Lord?"

"Sit down Thranduil, by sacrifice their lives, Reuel' and Alleun's offspring shall be ride of all evil. Take heed, this could be our saviour. The One who shall possess the strength to defeat Sauron if ever it comes to a time of which we need to fight him again."

"I don't like it! I believe it should be destroyed despite the fact that its powers shall return to Sauron. It is better than fighting against two Evil Lords. Kill that offspring the moment it enters our world. Hopefully its evil shall not be too strong."

"I understand your concern, King of Mirkwood, but we may have a chance to defeat Sauron and his darkness in case it becomes necessary."

Thranduil, the King of the northern realm of Mirkwood reproachfully gave in but not without a warning : "Very well Elrond I see the logic behind your arguments." He stood up and spoke menacingly, " But know this I will not have this bearer of evil running around my forest. Do all that you can to keep it far beyond the likes of my Woods. Mirkwood has enough evil going about these times." His majesty then stormed out of the council angrily.

Reuel' and Alleun were left in despair : "What shall we do if King Thranduil does not wish to have his own kind stay in his forest? Where shall we leave our child? If we become Orcs we must not let it slip into the hands of evil."

Elrond thought briefly. Lord Celeborn of Lothlórien offered an equitable solution : "When the offspring is born take it to the Golden Woods where lives the Lady Galadriel and I. It is the safest place to be. There the child shall learn our ways."

Lord Elrond seemed pleased with this arrangement and looked upon Reuel' and Alleun for their advice. "We give you our most humble thanks Lord Celeborn to you and the Lady Galadriel. With you, we are certain that evil shall be conquered for all times"

"And to both you, Reuel' and Alleun who shall face evil, we give you all our eternal gratitude and you shall be remembered as those who gave their lives for the sake of their kindred. This shall not be an easy task. Let us hope to live one day where the doings of Sauron shall be undone." Said Elrond solemnly. "We shall enclose with you an elixir of strength so the Orcs do not cause you any pain."

With these words the grim council ended and all those who attended left the room, all except Elrond and the Wizard. "Do you believe that this child shall be able to defeat Sauron?" Asked the wizard.

"I do, it is our only hope."

"Not our only... but we have a great advantage with this powerful being on our mind. Make certain that no one ever speaks of the two elves ever again. The child must never know of its origin and if the ring is found... Keep it far away for it shall immediately awaken Sauron, who continues his search for the ring."

"I understand."

¯¯¯¯¯

In the woods of Mirkwood, Reuel' and Alleun welcomed their child and three days later it was sent to Lothlórien to remain with the High Elves. The next day, Orcs were raiding the far ends of Mirkwood. Reuel' and Alleun approached the Orcs, hand in hand, terrified of what was to come. Many Wood Elves came in an attempted to face the Orcs but they were told by Thranduil to keep their distances. They all watched in sorrowed helplessness as their brethren were taken away. Hiding behind a tree, the Prince of Mirkwood watched in horror as the scene before him ended. He felt disgust for the Orcs, and sadness for his fellow elves, of whom no one ever spoke or heard of ever again.

Five hundred years have passed since this tragedy. The child remained safe in the hands of the High Elves, unknowing of its past and its place in the relevation of the future.