Hi everyone just a little note before the story, this is my first time writing (outside of college) and I would love any critiques and feedback.

My take on Mirkwood-

Greenwood, beloved forest of the Sindarin Elves, full of woodland life and wonder, ruled by Thranduil son of Oropher. Since the Battle of Dagorlad it has thrived and blossomed under Thranduil's rule. Even though it has been said the Elves of the Greenwood are not the wisest of there kind, they are the most deadly.

The wood elves can hear the whispers in the trees

And here are some translations

dilthen las=Little leaf

Gúl= Magic!

Melil (name)= Rose

ion nîn= My son

Hîr vuin= My Lord

Now on to the story-

Legolas jumped from branch to branch quickly scanning the forest floor for dangers, behind followed Tauriel and two of Legolas's guard. They had been on a long hunt and were now returning to the halls of his father. Legolas stopped and signaled for his company to do the same, below them was a pack of spiders moving quickly to the ground were 13 dwarves stood forming a circle ready to defend themselves.

"What are dwarves doing so deep in the forest?" whispered Tauriel looking down at the scene.

"They are trespassers," Legolas turned and gave a quick signal. "Bring them to my father alive."

Quickly and silently the elves moved toward the battle.

Down on the ground was an entirely different scenario. The dwarves moved frantically to defend themselves against the over-sized spiders that leaped down from treetops.

"Kili! Behind you!" yelled Fili as he threw a dagger into the face of a particularity nasty looking spider.

Kili flug around and gave it another slash before it hit the ground. Before Kili could turn back around he was face first in the dirt. A spider stood above him and went to bite the young dwarf.

"Kili!" shouted Fili, Thorin turned to see the youngest ones of his company struggling against their enemies.

He saw a flash of gold and green land next to him and quickly dispatch two of the creatures before running over and stabbing a third with his daggers. Two more elves landed next to the golden haired elf and release their arrows into four more beasts. Only two more spiders remained.

Kili struggled to hold off the spiders jaws from clamping down on him, he heard Fili's shout and looked over to wear his brother was. And then as quick as an arrow an elven maiden stood over him and the spider was dead. Her hair was the deepest red he had ever seen, he could have lost himself in her emerald eyes for an eon if it wasn't for the fact she was holding a dagger to his throat made him a little self consciousness.

"Get up Dwarf." she said sternly.

Kili smiled. "Perhaps you could help me up."

She raised her eyebrow."No."

Bilbo looked down from the branch he was hiding on to see the dwarves surrounded by elves who were surrounded by the carcasses of dead spiders.

Well, shoot. Thought Bilbo. Now what are we going to do now. The branch shifted beneath him, he tensed. Weird, this branch is more then thick enough. He looked up to see himself moving ever so slightly closer to the center of the clearing the company of elves and dwarves were. He panicked, trees in Hobbiton didn't move maybe the trees here were different. Then there was a whisper in the leaves, he could barely make out what was being said.

...Careful dilthen las...

Okay now he was losing it. He was sure Gandalf said that the forest would play tricks on us but he didn't mention moving tree and whispering winds. Unfortunately, he was moving a little too close to the action, he swiftly pulled out his ring and slipped it on. As soon as he did the tree branch shook as if in surprise.

Gúl!...

Bilbo slipped into the ground as quietly as he could. He inched his way closer to the two groups, he heard the elves talking to themselves. He couldn't make out much but they seemed to be discussing where to go next.

"We need to return to the halls, Legolas." A dark haired elf said to the tall golden one.

"We still have not seen any sign of the orc pack that was seen by the borders." answered Legolas

The red haired one spoke up,"We also have been traveling through the woods for two weeks, coming across nothing but the wretched spiders." she pushed Kili into the circle with the other dwarves.

Legolas sighed. "Fine. It is almost the Mereth-nuin-Giliath anyway, I wish to be present for the celebrations. Let us move quickly then."

The troop started there way through the woods, Blibo followed along stepping quietly taking care to make sure not to make too much noise.

Legolas and Tauriel lead the pack through the woods keeping an eye out for any dangers that may be present. They were not far from the halls and it was clear that Legolas wanted to get there as soon as possible. Tauriel turned towards her captain.

"You seem to be in a rush my lord, strange for someone wanting to hunt orcs until the end of the age." She teased, tossing him a half smile.

"Melil is to join me this time." Legolas grinned. He seemed to be in high spirits now that they were heading to there home.

Tauriel felt a knot forming in her stomach at the mention of Melil. Even though she knew that Legolas would never feel the same way about her as she did for him, it was hard seeing him with the maiden from Lothlórien. She wasn't even sure why Thranduil approved of the pairing, Melil was a just a handmaiden not even of Sindarin blood. But ever since the Lady of the Wood visited them those two have been almost inseparable and Thranduil was thrilled at the prospect.

"I did not realize she was visiting." she said.

"We received word three days before the hunt." he replied. Legolas turned to see the two dark haired dwarves staring at them. The older of the two seemed like he was trying to stab him with his gaze. The younger one was grinning like a child towards Tauriel. What a strange company of dwarves he thought and continued towards their destination.

Thorin glared at the blonde elf, he would recognize those piercing blue eyes anywhere but the face wasn't the right. He didn't think that Thranduil had children, any time that he was visited Erebor he was only with his guards never and wife never any children. Of course this wouldn't be a surprise, he didn't think the elf king was the trusting type. He looked over to Kili who was trying to undress the she-elf with his eyes, that boy always did have a soft spot for taller women. He nudged Kili with his elbow and shot him a incredulous look. Kili's face turned a deep red and he instantly look everywhere but ahead of him. Thorin chuckled, today had been an interesting day, chased by orcs, lost in the woods, and attacked by spiders.

Wait! Where is Bilbo? Thorin had a moment of panic the hobbit had not been in the battle, was he dead? Was he hiding? If Bilbo was hiding he would be able to help get us get out of the situation they had gotten themselves into.

The elves made it back to the main road in short time and from there they quickly made it the great halls of Mirkwood.

Legolas passed through the gates and was welcomed to a familiar sight of home, the main halls were built upon the great trees of old, here the forest still flourished and the trees still sang with the songs of the Eldar. This was the last place in Greenwood that had not been tainted with the darkness that spread from Dol Guldur, he and his father have sworn to keep this forest safe yet that evil was strong, growing, and getting bolder.

Around him moved elves and men preparing for the festivities coming in the nights ahead. It was not unusual for men to visit Thranduil, they hailed from Laketown and trade had always been good between the two races. He led the dwarves down into the dungeons with the help of the guards they each were place in their cells.

"Who is the leader of your group?" He asked them.

The dwarves looked and the older dark haired one. Thorin glared at the elf.

"Who needs to know?" He snarled.

Legolas cocked his head to the side. "You were found trespassing in my fathers kingdom, you must answer to him."

Thorins eyes widened, so the elf scum did have a son, he thought. Legolas pulled Thorin out of his cell.

"Walk." Legolas ordered, pushing the dwarf ahead on him. Such a strange dwarf Legolas thought as he led him up to the throne room.