Disclaimer: I am not a professor or a philologist or a member of the Inklings. Alas, I have never been to England nor was I born in South Africa. So apart from a love of beauty and an admiration for Old English and medieval stories I have nothing in common with the writer of The Lord of the Rings. Ergo, any recognizable characters are his not mine. I but vainly hope to add a few threads in the great tapestry of Middle Earth.

Warnings: This story contains severe and not very subtle criticism of evil Thranduil and little-Legolas-is-tortured-by-friends-and/or-relations fics. It is does tie into with the rest of my fics so if the characters seem very OOC be patient for "doubtless all will be revealed in time." Also AU in that Aragorn and the rest accompany Legolas back to Eryn Lasgalen.

Prologue

"Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires."
― William Shakespeare, Macbeth

The royal party rode slowly through the outskirts of Eryn Lasgalen, the reclaimed forest. The remaining company of the Fellowship rode near the front as Legolas went before all. His bright eyes lighted happily on the once-dark trees and the swarms of woodland creatures now returned to their rightful homes.

The forest creatures seem nearly as joyful as their prince for he was surrounded by them. A nightingale upon one of his outstretched hands and while several sparrows chirped dizzyingly about his head.

On top of Arod, Gimli loudly proclaimed his hurt at having been abandoned for the mindless creatures until a sharp look from his friend and a peck from a sparrow caused him to fall silent.

The few lords and ladies of Gondor who had accompanied them for curiosities sake looked around bewilderedly, while the hobbits pranced beside the elf, nearly as at home with them as the elf.

Aragorn and Arwen watched the scene smiling, it was good to see their old friend so happily in his beloved forest. He had remained merry and hopeful even as the forest had fallen into darkness but both knew that it had weighed heavy upon his heart that his beautiful Greenwood had been polluted by the shadow.

Legolas stopped suddenly, signing the animals away. He held up a hand in warning, effectively halting the procession.

Lady Grethil gasped, they were surrounded by elves, archers clad in woodland green. The leader's arrow was trained on the king as he stepped forward.

"King Elessar" he said coldly "Where is the prince? The king very wroth on his behalf."

Aragorn looked startled and glanced towards his wife. She flashed a smile at the guard.

"Prince Legolas?" she inquired sweetly.

"Prince Legolas Thranduilion" said the elf shortly, untouched by the smile "Must answer charges before the king, it will do neither you nor he good to hid him." He glared threateningly over the assembly.

"There is no need for threats, Elgalen" came a clear voice "Your search is over."

The elves turned swiftly, their arrows trained on the prince. The Gondorian nobles gasped, if they had thought the elves were threatening the king they knew better now, the looks in their eyes spelled merciless death for the elf before them.

Legolas looked them in the eye "Mellyn" he said simply "It is good to be back beneath the boughs of the Greenwood."

"You should never have left" snarled Elgalen "We, fought and died for these woods while you fled. Craven I name you."

Legolas stared at him, his eyes wide with surprise. Aragorn's stomach was twisting within him at that look in his friend's eyes.

"How dare you" he cried "He fought at the very gates of Mordor for you, for your people, for the wood. How long do you think your dwindling numbers would have held out if the ring had not been destroyed? Legolas went to save you and you name him coward?"

"You miserable orc-spawn" cut in another voice, Gimli was practically exploding with rage over the callous treatment of his friend. He had actually lost the power to speak for several moments. Legolas had been so happy, excited to see his friends and family and after all he had done for them, this was the treatment he was given?

"Don't even think about saying that again, unless you wish for an axe in your neck!"

Legolas looked around alarmed at the outbursts on his behalf. Ai, well I should have known that they would not keep silent.

"Please, stop." he called over he called over the din. "There is no need to fight on my behalf."

The noise ceased as suddenly as it had begun. Legolas glanced from Gimli to Aragorn.

"Gimli, please ride with Aragorn the rest of the way." Gimli glared at him, daring him to make him and promptly gave in. After all it was the least he could do for him.

The trip dragged on, now dull and wearisome. Legolas still rode in the front but he was surrounded by the elves, completely cut off from his friends. If the elves said anything at all they spoke too low for mortal ears to catch.

At long last they finally caught sight of the elvenking's underground palace.

The path was lined with guards.

It was no royal escort though, it felt more like an execution. The Gondorians, not excluding their king and queen shivered at the thought. What had happened here? Why did they suddenly hate Legolas so? Every time Aragorn had seen the prince along his elves they had loved him devotedly, what had wrought this horrible change?

They dismounted in the courtyard, their horses efficiently but kindly taken away. At the steps two of the guards seized the prince's arms. His hands were forced behind his back and bound securely. He did not struggle.

Thus they made their way to the king, the disgraced prince between his guards before all and the others following dejectedly behind.

They filed into the throne room.

Thranduil sat upon a great carved throne, a mithril helm upon his head. It shone with emeralds and gold and was very different than the usual simple wreathes of flowers or berries that he wore. His face was an impassive mask, his mouth set in a thin line, eyes hard and wrathful, glittering like the gems above them.

Legolas bowed his head respectfully as did the rest of the party. One of the elven guards snarled something in the prince's ear and kicked his legs from beneath him felling him to the ground. His shoulders were forced down until his forehead touched the cold stone and held immobile.

The king watched distantly his high throne.

"Bring him before me" he said at last, his tone cold and arrogant. The elves dragged the prince forward depositing him roughly at the foot of his father's throne.

"You forsook your duties, your honor and your kin in our greatest struggle with the darkness."

He said slowly and deliberately, looking down at his son's prone form

"For this there can be no forgiveness, why should you have a share in the light, who gave nothing to dispel the darkness? I have no son, my daughter Erynel will inherit Eryn Lasgalen. Alernil Alaranion I name you." (Not-prince, son of no king)

He turned to the guards "Remove him from my sight."

The friends watched horrified as their friend was dragged away still hanging unresisting in their arms.

They had nearly reached the door when a beautiful maiden appeared framed in the light. Her hair hung long and unbound about her waist in dark waves while her face was as Legolas' save in form of maid. Her beauty was lost by the expression on her pale features, cold she seemed and cruel. Legolas looked up suddenly on seeing his sister for so they saw that she was and whispered one word.

"Erynel" he breathed a smile on his lips.

The princess looked down coldly for moment and said nothing. She turned as though to go, while Legolas' friends watched the smile on his face die away. The maiden whirled as they reached the door and they saw her hand strike the prince's face with a sound that could be heard across the hall. Legolas fell forward limply, his head bowed and his shoulders shaking.

The guards dragged him away and out of sight.

Saes, I know what I am doing. Wait for the rest before deciding that I am out of my mind. For those who recognize Elgalen and Erynel- I promise that all shall become clear!

Shire Rose