Disclaimer: I do not own The Lord of the Rings. That (including Legolas, Mirkwood and Thranduil) all belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien. I just borrowed his characters for my (and I hope your) enjoyment. I do however own all the original characters, who frankly are the evil ones and one or two other random elves of Mirkwood. The rest belongs to Tolkien.

Author's Notes: Well Hi. I did promise this an age ago, possibly around December. But it is finally finished. muses do happy dance I don't know whether I'm proud of that, or whether I'm sad…simply because I have had fun writing this. It took me about 7 months! And I have had complications with it that caused lots of problems. I think I lost it at one point, I couldn't access it on my computer-or any other computer and was very upset (hell it was about 28 pages. I didn't want to type that up again) so I have to thank at this point my friend Rummy, (read he co-written stores under the name of Black Crystall Hawk)

Well anyway I also had other complications such as exams, and well we are in the Formula 1 season and I didn't write much in the beginnings of this season due to severe shock and horror at Kimi Raikkonen's disastrous engine failures. But now I think he's back, so I can write once more, (Unless he wins then I'll be too hyper to write)

Additional Points: I believe like many authors that Aragorn was something of an adopted son to Elrond and a brother to Elladan and Elrohir, at this point he also did not know his true heritage so will be known as Estel throughout. I also believe that Legolas was about 300 years younger than the twins.

I also use the idea that Gilraen was killed along with Arathorn, mainly because I'd find it hard to write her.

I think that's all now. I'll leave you alone to read…

Web of Lies

Prologue

"Prince Legolas - I think we should return to your Father's halls," Tirinvo-captain of King Thranduil's guards-said as the small group of elves rode through the forest.
"No - the orcs are still in Mirkwood. I do not wish for them to cause any more deaths." the prince replied as they rode deeper into the trees. The other elves followed him as fast as they could. A sudden cry of pain causing them to urge their horses faster, for fear of their Prince being in danger, they ran on into a clearing and stopped, unsure of which direction to travel - the scream had come from before them, but the presence of their Prince was coming from another direction. "Who was that?" said a voice behind them. Turning round, the elves came face to face with Legolas.
"It was none of us, Prince Legolas. We thought it was you." one warrior replied,
"Then who was it?" Legolas asked, riding off again, but slower this time - almost warily. Again, the other elves followed. Shortly they came across another clearing. Against one of the trees lay a man-he had been slashed across the chest and was bleeding freely. Legolas stared at him, remembering other times in which he had been in contact with men: and the first-a time when he had been only 500 years of age, an encounter that had left him wary of their race to this day.

FLASHBACK

"Who are you little elf" he sneered
"I am Prince Legolas Greenleaf! Unhand me at once!" Legolas commanded
"Not a chance," a tall dark haired man stormed up to Legolas. "Your father killed half my men," he snapped. "He will have to pay"
"Let me go!" Legolas yelled beginning to get scared. The man did not listen
"Bind his hands." The man snapped, "Listen boy, make one sound and I will make sure you never speak again! Understand?" Legolas nodded quickly as another man bound his hands. Tears slipped from the corners of his eyes as he was led away deep into Mirkwood

FLASHBACK ENDS

"Prince Legolas?" the voice called, pulling him from his thoughts.
"Yes, Tirinvo?"
"This man needs urgent assistance; we shall have to take him to Mirkwood."

Legolas paled; he did not wish to keep the man near him, but in his heart he knew he could not leave him there. He sighed. "Very well, get him on one of the horses. We will return to the palace." he said-his voice colder than he wished as he urged his horse back in the direction of the palace. As he rode he thought back to that time, when, he had been held captive by the men. Though, save for cuts and bruises, he came back unscathed, the event had left him traumatised for weeks. Then there were the many other times-they were not worth thinking about. Yet, he wondered whether this man was like that…
"Legolas, I hear your patrol found an injured man in the forest, and brought him here." Thranduil said walking into his son's room later that day.
"That is true," replied Legolas, "though I do not know if I did the right thing. I knew I could not leave him there, for he was dying. Father… all men cannot be the same, can they?"
"I do not know, Legolas" Thranduil sighed placing a hand on his son's shoulder. "But do not worry. I will not let him harm you." He looked into his son's troubled eyes for a moment before smiling gently. "The healers say he has awakened and is well." Thranduil said as he turned for the door and walked towards it, he was surprised when Legolas followed him.
"I will go and speak to the man. Find out why he was in Mirkwood."
"Are you sure Ion-nin?" Thranduil said looking at his heir.
"I am" Legolas replied staring into his father's silver eyes with ones that matched them perfectly. "I can do this" he turned and walked out of his room towards the infirmary.

The infirmary was warm and airy; Legolas stepped through the door into the long room and hesitated. "He cannot harm you Legolas – not here," he scolded himself under his breath before making his way to the bed in which the man was laid.

He was a tall man, with dark shoulder–length hair, his eyes where shut in deep sleep, but Legolas knew he would wake soon. The Elven Prince settled down on a small chair beside the bed and closed his eyes-he did not know why he was here-except maybe to discover if indeed all men where the same. It was something that had plagued him for years, but something that he wished to know the answer too; a sudden movement caught his attention. It was the man.
"You are in the palace of Mirkwood," Legolas stated, as the man opened his eyes and began staring at his surroundings. "But I would like to know who you are and what your business was in Mirkwood." The man nodded nervously
"I am Talider, a traveller. I was doing an errand for the leader of my clan and I am returning to them – I was desperate to see my wife and children again for I have missed them and Mirkwood seemed but a short cut to the Misty Mountains." The man explained "I am sorry if I have offended you in anyway"
Legolas laughed, "If you thought coming through Mirkwood was to be a short cut then you were wrong. But no, you have not offended me" the elf was trying to seem as friendly as he could even if he did not wish to be. "How old are you children?" Legolas asked to seem polite
"Ah." The man said and a smile came over his face. How long the two talked neither knew. Legolas was telling Talider a lively account of the last feast that had been held at Mirkwood but before he could finish the door swung open, Legolas looked up.
"Prince Legolas," Ecetince – one of the king's maids - said with a bow "The king was wondering if you would be joining him for dinner"
"Ai Elbereth!" Legolas gasped as he leapt up "I forgot-Excuse me Talider. I shall join you later. I shall ask for some food to be sent up to you."
"Thank-you" Talider replied as Legolas left the room.

"Adar, I am truly sorry for being late." Legolas said as he walked in the private dining room, passing he butler, Galion who was on his way back to the kitchens
"Where were you Legolas?" Thranduil said raising an eyebrow.
"I was talking to the man- I have learnt much, he is named Talider and he is a traveller, he was passing through Mirkwood as a short cut so he can return to his family" Legolas explained taking a seat at the table next to his father. The room they were in was smaller than the great hall-a room only used on special occasions. Usually the King and his son would eat in this private dining room
"Ah-so now he wishes to return to his family."
"Yes, but I do not think that Ilyanna will allow that yet. She can be even harsher that The Lord Elrond at times."

Thranduil smiled at his son's reply, The Prince had tried many of The Lord Elrond's medicines, and enjoyed none of them.
"That is certainly true Ion-nin" the elven king replied with a smile as he sipped his wine.
"Ai Adar! How many of Lord Elrond's medicines have you been forced to take?" Legolas laughed
"Not hat many as yet. However maybe that is because I do not plunge headfirst into danger!" Thranduil replied with a smile
"Nor do I." replied Legolas. "Danger just always seems to find me" Legolas smiled at his father almost apologetically, before picking up his goblet of wine and taking a sip; the elven king stared at his son in slight amazement.

A few days later

Rain came in torrents from the sky, Legolas and Talider walked slowly through the library of the halls of Thranduil. Talider had been allowed out of his bed but had not yet been allowed home. Legolas may have been wary still about the man – but that was slowly wearing away, Legolas turned to the man as they came up to a large sword hanging on the wall. "Not many people come in this room" Legolas began. "This is Edhel-Naur, the sword of Oropher, my grandsire. The very one he used in the Last Alliance when he was slain." The sword was long, and still surprisingly very sharp, into the hilt which was made of Mithril was set a plain green stone,
"It is wonderful, truly it is" Talider said with admiration, he looked over at Legolas.
"I know" Legolas smiled "It is my father's most priceless treasure"
"I would have expected it to be" Talider replied returning the elf's smile
"Ilyanna says you may leave Mirkwood in a few days, if you so wish"
"That I do, I miss my wife and my children," Talider stated, "I do like Mirkwood though" he added hurriedly
"It does not matter" Legolas replied. "I know how you must be feeling. Every time I am away from home my heart aches for Mirkwood – and my father. I have already lost one parent. I would hate to loose both."
"I lost my parents when I was only young, Orcs," Talider replied.
"My mother was killed by an uncle of mine. He also tried to kill me but he did not succeed." Talider stared at the Prince in disbelief
"An uncle"
"My father's brother-he wanted to be king. But that is not a tale I wish to relate." Legolas replied turning away,
"I would not expect that to be." Talider replied

Over the next few days Legolas and Talider became friends. Legolas felt that due to his determination to do so he could trust Talider-A thing he had never believed he could be able to do. As they rode through the forest side by side, heading for the edge Legolas began to feel some regret at their parting. It was today Talider would be leaving Mirkwood, to return to his home. "It is here I must leave you," Legolas said smiling at the man, as he dismounted, Talider too dismounted.
"Namaarie Prince Legolas" Talider replied bowing low "We shall meet again one day" He looked up at Legolas whose eyes were fixed on the sword at the man's belt – A sword the Prince could not fail to recognize.
"That…that is Edhel-Naur." Legolas whispered "I would know it anywhere!" He looked up at Talider "Give it to me now" he said – anger flashing in his eyes.
"I think not – It was luck that got me into your father's halls – I'm not going to give up what My Lady wanted." Talider replied a smile on his face
"You lied to me"
"Yes"
"I was wrong about you!" Legolas snapped, "I thought I could trust you. You just wanted the sword all along" He leapt at the man pulling a small dagger from his belt, Talider side stepped before grabbing Legolas' arm and throwing him forward, the elf fell to the ground so hard was the man's blow. The elven prince leapt to his feet and reached for his dagger only to see it snatched up by Talider, who brought it down into the Prince's shoulder. Legolas grit his teeth and staggered to his feet – one hand over his shoulder from which blood was freely pouring. He staggered forward and pulled out one of his long knives which he swung at Talider's head, the man ducked and threw the dagger on the floor before pulling out a longer knife, he swung it and there was a clash of metal on metal as their blades clashed, Legolas was strong, but in his present condition was no match for the man. Talider put all his weight behind the knife in one quick movement and pushed, Legolas fell backwards, hitting his head on a tall tree. Blackness overcame him.
"Goodbye Prince Legolas – We shall meet again," Talider whispered before mounting his horse and riding off into Mirkwood.

"My lord!" Tirinvo rode up to the great gates of Mirkwood, leaping off his horse as Thranduil rushed down the steps "My lord – we found him lying there in the forest, He's injured my lord"
Thranduil took the limp body from Tirinvo his face pale
"Who did this?" he whispered in shock, an angered look passing swiftly across his face.
"There was no one else around my Lord." Tirinvo replied as the pair began to hurry towards the palace "I have asked Rusco and some more of the patrol to look for any clues." Thranduil nodded – Rusco a young elf trained by Legolas himself after saving the Prince's life had become an invaluable member of the Mirkwood army and if he could not find any clues to his son's attacker – no one could.
"Thank you Tirinvo." Thranduil replied walking into the infirmary "Ilyanna!" the healer walked out of a side chamber and sighed when she saw the body in Thranduil's arms. She disappeared back into the chamber and Thranduil laid his son on a bed.
"Remove his tunic." Ilyanna said on returning into the infirmary her hands full of salves and bandages "When will he learn" she sighed. "He attracts danger do you not think?" she said as she cleansed the wound on the prince's shoulder. "He is only unconscious. This wound is the only other." She said working all the time. Thranduil looked relived at the words.
"So – he will be fine?"
"Of course." Ilyanna replied smiling at the king. "He should wake soon" she said as she finished wrapping the wound and swept out of the room leaving Thranduil alone with his son.
"Ai Legolas, Ion Nin" Thranduil whispered as he looked at his son lying there, "Please, wake Little Greenleaf. Please wake soon." Then a thought struck him "Talider!" he hissed, "It was him!" a sudden bang at the door made him turn "Enter"
"My lord we have grievous news. Edhel-Naur, It has gone!" Alcarnor said not daring to meet the king's eyes.
"What!" Thranduil gasped his voice barely audible "No." he could not believe it his son had been injured and now, his father's sword had been stolen. He frowned in hatred as thought of the man he had allowed into the palace crossed his mind "It is Talider, find him. He must be still in Mirkwood!"
"We shall find him My Lord." Alcarnor replied. Thranduil nodded and turned to the bed, Legolas was stirring. The young elf opened his eyes and at once put a hand to his head
"Ai, my head." He groaned before meeting his father's eyes "Adar, Talider, he's taken Edhel-Naur"
"I know Ion Nin. I know" Thranduil replied dismissively, "How are you?"
"I have been stabbed and thrown into a tree" Legolas replied sitting up in bed once more "how would you be?" he swung his legs out and started to get out of the bed. Unfortunately for the Elf Prince, Ilyanna walked in at that second
"Get back into the bed now!" she said pushing him gently back "you are not fit to be walking around" she smiled at the Prince as he climbed into bed again, knowing it useless to argue. Then she proceeded to check his wounds. "You should be able to get up tomorrow," she added with a smile before sweeping once more out of the room.

TBC…

Well, that's the prologue over with. Hope you enjoyed it. Now I'm going to ask the expected question. Please will you review? Please?

It would make me very happy, it would also allow me too feed my muses. They live of reviews…and sherbet.

Translations

Elvish (All Sindarin unless stated) English

Edhel-Naur Elf-fire

Ecetince (?) Hyacinth

Ion-nin My Son

Adar Father

Ilyanna Every gift-translation of Pandora

Tirinvo Vigilant-translation of Casey

Anyway, that's it now. I shall leave you. I will see you tomorrow.

Namaarie

Aranel of Mirkwood