Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters, and have simply written these stories for pleasure not personal gain.

Prologue: New Beginnings

Summary: The story of Arya and Legolas' rekindled connection and the events that occur as a result of their reconnection.

Arya's POV-Prologue

Today out of all days, it had decided to rain, which I considered an appropriate setting for today's' mood. Today marks the one year anniversary of my mothers' death and also the deaths of most of my people. In order to understand her death and the death of my people I must go back to the beginning where it all started.

One year ago a terrible war had erupted between the elves of the west and the orcs, mortal enemies of the elves. Although between the years, small battles had occurred between the elves and the orcs, none were as terrible as this war, for this war was led by a traitor named Raollin.

Raollin was commander in chief of my father's (King Ernoldus) army, and was also a childhood friend of my father's. My father and Raollin had grown up together, and their bond was strong or so everyone thought. Ninety years ago my father had lead a raid against the orcs. My father had allowed Raollin and his troops to go ahead and seek out the hiding place of the orcs, but was ordered not to act until my father caught up with them. Raollin, known for his arrogance, decided to ignore my father's orders and attacked the orcs in hopes of surprising them and ultimately helping them meet their demise. However, most of Raollin's men were outnumbered and slaughter. Raollin and a few of his men were only able to survive, due to my father's arrival and swift thinking.

Once brought back to the kingdom, Raollin was tried for his crimes against my father's orders. Although Raollin should have received the death penalty (defying the kings orders is considered punishable by death), my father instead sentenced Raollin to 90 years in prison and was stripped of his title as commander in chief. Raollin's family was also stripped of their noble titles and was forbidden to see Raollin until his sentence was over.

During his 90 years in solitude, Raollin obsessed over revenge against my father, an obsession that eventually drove him mad. When Raollin was released, he showed no signs of madness and even begged for the forgiveness of my father. My father decided to give Raollin a second chance at redemption and put him in charge of guarding the fortress.

One night while guarding the outskirts of the castle Raollin stumbled upon a band of orcs, who showed Raollin no mercy. Before the killing blow, Raollin cried out that he would help the orcs destroy the western kingdom. Bazul, the orcs leader, decided to strike a deal with Raollin. If Raollin provided an entrance to the castle, Bazul would offer protection and a position of leadership within their clan. Raollin, thirsting for revenge against my father, took Bazul's offer and led the band of orcs quietly into the kingdom the next night.

All I can remember from that night is completely chaos. My mother and father had been awakened by their guardsmen that orcs had infiltrated the walls. My father immediately went to help protect the castle walls and my mother, Eilariya, had ordered guardsmen to take me outside of the walls away from the chaos. A few moments after my departure, Raollin and a few orcs cornered my mother. I was told that my mother fought bravely, but in the end she was outnumbered and was given a killing blow by Raollin himself. Just as Raollin delivered the blow, my father walked in, and it was said that he let out a scream so heart wrenching, that the elves from the eastern kingdom could hear his cries.

My father, though outnumbered, took out the remaining orcs and engaged in a deadly battle with Raollin. At the end of the battle my father wounded Raollin; however Raollin was able to escape into the night.

After his fight with Raollin, my father found the hiding place where the guardsmen were keeping me, and we fled from the kingdom. All I remember from that moment is our home burning to the ground, and screams piercing the cold air. I could remember my father and I embracing and sobbing after we both realized that my mother and most of our people had died at the hands of Raollin. I remember taking one last look at a home I would never set foot in again.

Now, after a year of trials and tribulations, my father and I have finally made it to the Eastern Kingdom where we are granted safety. During my early childhood I remember spending summers in the Eastern Kingdom, laughing and playing with my childhood friends. One particular friend that I haven't seen in a while is Legolas.

Though nervous, I am excited to finally have a place to stay, even if it is a temporary home. I am excited to finally have some stability and calmness in my life.

I am excited for new beginnings.