Disclaimer: Anything you recognize, I do not own it.

Warnings: Will be SLASH. Updates irregularly (for now)

Silver

Prologue

Sunshine blew through his honey colored lashes, rousing Legolas from his peaceful slumber. The times were dangerous and the wind carried whispers of dark promises yet he couldn't help but feel at ease here, in his self-claimed part of the forest. The air was different in these parts - the usual stench of the dead spiders did not reach his nose here, neither did the dark whispers of the infected trees. This part of the forest, which was almost untouched by the hands of time, still remained in the golden times of Mirkwood.

He gazed at the swaying branches of the giant willow tree he had rested against. It was strange, how the leaves rustled in a silent song - so full of stories, so sorrowful they were. In some summer evenings, when Legolas tried hard enough, he could hear a sweet voice telling him of stories - of castles on lakes and candles that floated, of a girl with witty remarks and a boy with a hair of fire.

"I will be leaving for a journey," he murmured, giving the tree a gentle pat. "I do not know what awaits me. I do not know when I will be back, mellon."

"I shall depart with you." The voice was melodical and entirely too real to be a whisper of the wind. Legolas whirled around to see the owner of the voice and reached for his bow reflexibly.

A soft chuckle came from seemingly nowhere. "I am up here, you dummy."

It was a peculiar sight, what greeted him. There, amidst the cascading leaves of the willow, was a young man seated on a giant branch. He had messy silvery hair with a pale complexion, and was adorned in hues of white, silver and very light blue. He gave off a faint glow, which reminded Legolas of the full moon in a cloudless night. That was not the most peculiar thing, however.

Legolas could see, through the young man's chest, the gentle swaying of the leaves behind him.

He tightened his grip on his bow. Something in him, however, wouldn't let him raise it to this complete stranger. "Who are you?"

The Moon Spirit pouted. "I am hurt, mellon. I guess it can't be helped though - as we have not yet been formerly introduced." He paused, giving Legolas a happy grin. "I guess I don't have a name anymore - want to give me one?"

Legolas blinked. "You want me to name you?" He asked, feeling incrediolus.

The Moon Spirit gave off a pleasant, hearty laugh. "Yes - name me away, my friend."

"Ah..." Legolas said, numbly. "How abouth Ithil?" He felt unsure and silly - standing there, naming a stranger.

"Moon, eh? Yes, I like it."The silvery-man smiled and Legolas thought it was quite beautiful - beautiful like nature, subtle and very pleasant. He watched as The Moon Spirit - now Ithil - jumped down the branch he was seated on. He landed quietly and delicately, looking almost weightless. Momentarily, Legolas wondered if he really was.

Ithil raised his hand to Legolas' cheek - almost touching, but not. "I really like it. Thank you." He murmured, shine of a warmth in his silvery-blue eyes. Legolas could only stand there, transfixed. A lump made it's way to his throat - he felt as if he knew this man. He recognised this hidden sorrow he saw in those silvery eyes and it saddened him. Such sorrow, buried under layers and layers of masks.

"Hello, my name is Ithil. What's yours,mellon nin?" Said Ithil with a happy grin, while offering his hand to the elven prince.

Just like that, as if a spell was broken, Legolas woke from his trance. He stared at the offered hand in confusion.

"You are supposed to shake it. It's a custom from my home." Ithil explained.

The elven prince took the offered hand. "I am Prince Legolas of Mirkwood." He replied. "What business do you have in these woods?"

Ithil gave a startled laugh. "Straight down to business, eh?"

"Yes," Legolas spoke, voice harder this time. "As you are intruding my home."

"Not quite. You see, my dear prince, you are the intruder here." Ithil gestured the forest around him. "This is my home. These parts, as much as your father insists otherwise, belong to me. I have been residing in this forest long before he claimed it as his own."

"What do you mean?"

"Take me to your father, Legolas." Ithil murmured.

"Power is often the source of violence," Ithil spoke. "And arrogance. I can see that it has corrupted you as well." His silvery, feline like eyes gazed at the elvenking with unconceiled pity.

Thranduil's ice blue eyes flashed with anger. "Who are you to tell me this? You, who have never tasted power, you," he spat, "who is a nobody, compared to me? " Legolas flinched at the harsh words - he had never seen his father so deliriously angry.

"Hit a nerve, did I? But do not mistake my obedience with weakness, my lovely Lord - I am not just barks, I bite too." A dangerous glint was in his eyes as he replied. "And one day, my Lord, I might walk away. And that day you shall face your enemies - and most importantly, friends - by yourself."

A silvery eyebrow rose, intrigued. "Indeed? I might just keep you around for a while to see that." He glanced at the guard on his left. "Take him to dungeons. "

The guard on the elvenking's left made a move to catch the silvery man - only to have his hand pass through Ithil's chest.

"What..."

"Careful, my king. We have been side by side for centuries, yet you still know so little about me. You might get burned," he all but purred,"Or worse, you might face me on the battleground."

Quite suddenly the guard fell to the ground, a silent scream on his lips. His whole body shook with tremors of unimaginable pain - and then it stopped. Just like that, the guard was left on the ground, panting.

There was a dangerous glint in Ithil's eyes and just for a millisecond, Legolas thought he saw the silvery man's eyes flash with color - a dangerous green, purer than a thousand jades. A shudder went through his spine. Who was this man?

"I shall accompany your son on this journey. Have me a horse prepared."

With that, Ithil faded through the shadows, returning to his part of the Mirkwood.

A/N:

I cherish every thought and every opinion, so please review and let me know them. Constructive cricism is welcomed, encouraged even.

Also, if any one of you would like to be my Beta (as I am not a nativd speaker), please PM me and let me know.

Love y'all,

Xohaxu