This is my first fanfic, so please review to tell me if you like it, or don't, or if you have any advice! BTW, if the speech is in italics, then the person is speaking Elvish. Oh, and Morgoth/Melkor is the first dark lord (if you didn't already know). Thanks for reading!

Prologue

2878 years ago...

I was in court with my family, like they always were once a month. There were many rulers there, but I didn't know many of them, being only 53 years old, very young in an elf, but apparently old enough to come to court. I was sitting in a seat next to my mother, who in turn was next to my father, King Thranduil of Mirkwood. I glanced at my mother. She gave me a reassuring nod, because even though I didn't show my emotions like I had been taught, my mother knew me so well that she could tell I was nervous. I was nervous not because this was my first time in court, but because I had a bad feeling that this was the last time I would communicate with my mother. I turned back to the rulers, who were arguing with my father over the produce that Mirkwood should get, not being able to get their own (it was so dark in Mirkwood that nothing would grow except evil). I sat back in my chair, looking like I wasn't listening, but truly I was. I was actually quite interested in all of this -

My train of thought was interrupted by a cry from my mother. Everyone immediately turned to looked at her with worried eyes, completely forgetting the argument they were having a few seconds ago. My Naneth had her hands clasped around her throat as though someone was strangling her. My Ada and I both ran to her side and supported her, she looked as if she was about to topple over.

"Mother, what's wrong?" I said it in Elvish so that almost no one in the room could understand me.

"Someone... something is choking me." She replied in a hoarse voice.

"What is it?" Father asked.

"You know who it is... you must tell him the truth." Her eyes flickered to me. "Know that I love you." She was running out of time; I knew that she was dying.

"I love you too, mother. Remember that." She smiled weakly, as her eyes glazed over and she passed on to the other world. I looked up sideways at my father, who was crying silent tears. I put an arm around him, not letting myself break down in public. Together, we watched elves carry off my dearest mother. I was very sad that she was gone, but little did I know that my troubles were only just beginning...

Later that same day, my father had recovered enough to speak to me, I assumed about whatever my mother had wanted him to tell me. I walked through the lit corridors until I reached my Ada's study. I knocked on the door, and a voice sounded from inside, filled with pain.

"You can come in, Legolas." He knew it was me because he wouldn't have let anyone else see him like this. I gently pushed open the door and entered. My father was sitting at his desk, like he always was, but his eyes were red from crying.

"You called?" I asked softly. Father nodded.

"I need to tell you something..." He replied in a broken voice. He cleared his throat and carried on. "Your mother wanted you to know... that Sauron, the dark lord... is your uncle. My younger brother." I could only stand there in shock, not comprehending the words I had just heard. Ada nodded, completely understanding why I was finding this hard to take in. "It's hard to believe, but my brother was once good. When he was born, 4 years after me, he was good and pure, but when he was 30, Morgoth stole him from under our very noses. I doubt very much that Sauron remembers any of his youth, being molded into a perfect dark lord. I have tried to reason with him, but without success. He has gone over to the dark side."

(AN: I thought a Star Wars reference would be a good idea here.)

The only thing I could say to that was: "So I'm the dark lord's nephew? And does he know this?" Ada replied

"Yes, and I don't know. He might know that I'm his brother, and therefore you're his nephew, but he may not." I nodded, still trying to understand this abrupt comment. "You can go now." Father dismissed me, seeing that I needed some time alone. I did, and so fled from his room to mine, and just sat on my bed.

Present day

After all these years I still don't know why Ada made me write all of that down, I think maybe it was to see if it could help me move on over my mother, but it didn't work. Not one day goes by where I don't think of her, and of my time with Sauron. I'm sorry, I'm getting ahead of myself. I will tell you about that part now.

38 years after the death of my mother

I was now 91 years old. My father had given me more responsibilities, and more freedom (sometimes). So one day I stupidly took a walk alone. That turned out to be a grave mistake. I was walking through my dark woods, when suddenly I was grabbed from behind and a hand was put over my mouth. I hadn't really been taught at that age about self-defense, so I didn't know what to do. I just kind of reacted instinctively. But it was no use. I was knocked out and then I saw black.

When I came too, I was chained eagle-spread to a wall. I looked around, terribly afraid. I felt rather than heard someone enter, and as hard as I strained, I could not see through the darkness to identify the footsteps.

"Ah, my little nephew... what a pleasant surprise..." I growled through the darkness.

"Sauron. I should have guessed." There was a low chuckle and the sound of a torch being lit. I blinked, my eyes easily adjusting to the bright light. Then Sauron stepped through the darkness towards me.

"So lively... I would hate to change that... but I'm afraid that if you don't co-operate I will have to. But if you do help me I will let you go immediately. I do hate to see you chained like that." I spat at his feet in answer. "Well, I see your desicion. And I am very sorry about what I have to do... but you've forced my hand. I will come back tomorrow and see if you've changed your mind." The dark lord turned and walked away.

"I will never surrender to you." I yelled after him.

"Oh, my dar nephew, I think you will..." Sauron laughed and continued walking. I sagged in relief that he was gone, but immediately tensed again when nine dark figures appeared around me, all holding swords. I recognized them as the nine kings of men who went corrupt when Sauron gave them the rings. They tortured me well into the night, then took a break when Sauron came back in. He asked me again if I would surrender, but I gave him the same reply. This went on for years, until one day I finally broke free of my chains (which I had been working at for years) and escaped through the dark tunnels underneath the ground. I hated being underground, but it was the only way to escape. Only the Mirkwood elves knew about the tunnels in case we needed a quick escape. I was broken, and I knew it. But somehow I managed to find my way back to my beloved Mirkwood. No one recognized me, the broken prince, but I managed to find my father. Hopefully he would know it was me.

"Legolas?" I nodded, and was about to reply, but then my knees buckled and then I saw black.

Present day

I still have the scars from that encounter, and it turns out I was kept prisoner for over 50 years. I am not broken any more, but times come when I freeze and relive those moments. I cannot control when they come and go, and the longest I was like that was a month. It's getting better now, but it always happens whenever someone mentions the black riders, the nine corrupt kings, or if I see or hear them. Everyone hopes that it will get better, but I doubt it. Maybe one day I will meet someone who will be able to stop it, but it hasn't happened yet. I haven't told anyone about my experiences, apart from my best friend, Aragorn son of Arathorn. I will be seeing him at the Council of Elrond tomorrow. What will happen I wonder...

Disclaimer: I don't own LOTR, Legolas, Mirkwood, King Thranduil or the nine Riders.