Disclaimer I haven't read the books (I plan to) and part 2 of this chapter will be up this weekend with more info and any answers to questions you may have.
Legolas sat perched on top of his horse surveying the woods about him. He pierced the thick forest with his eyes, making himself appear older and more serious than he was regularly known to be. While this was not the first time Legolas had rode the paths of the forest it was the first time his father had accompanied him. It was a rarity to catch the King this far outside of the walls of the palace. Not to say the Elven King was inexperienced with the paths and woods of his own kingdom, but this was the first time he would see Legolas perform his task of protecting the forest. He was not one to hang on his father's every word and praise, but he was eager to show his father that he was capable of protecting the Kingdom.
They rode in silence among the paths, with a small company of guards and their Captain Tauriel. There had been several reports of strange winds and creatures in this part of this forest. Such accounts did not usually warrant attention, but after the disappearances of several wood elves his father decided it was time for answers.
There was indeed something wrong in the wood, it was a change so minute Legolas didn't even notice it at first. It wasn't until his father had attempted to order him back to the palace that he could sense a dark taint to the air. He refused to leave claiming that they would need him should the darkness manifested itself in some unknown force. Thranduil had relinquished to his barely adult son's logic, but not without unease.
"My King, I recognize this form of darkness. It is not unlike-" The oldest of the guard, Gorchanar, trailed off. Legolas looked at him curiously, hoping he would continue. His father nodded in response.
"If it is the same darkness then we had best not stay in one place too long." Thranduil stated before pushing his great stag forward.
So they rode on, it wasn't until they reached a small river that his father ordered them to stop for the time being. They all dismounted and allowed the horses to drink from the water. His father and the guards stood about discussing their plans of journeying on. Legolas could tell by their mannerisms that many of the guard where uneasy, especially Tauriel who came to stand beside him at the waters edge. He had never seen her fidget in the course of their time together, but she shifted uneasily from foot to foot staring into the same water he did.
"I do not like this darkness, I feel as if the air is so thick it may smother us all." She stated darkly. Legolas had originally disliked her gloomier moods, but he grew to like that she never sugar coated her thoughts. Even if her thoughts were grim ones.
"What would cause such darkness?" Legolas asked not expecting her to find an answer. She was a good captain, but she was no older or wiser than he.
"I do not know. One of the King's advisors suggested that dark magic could be at work though." She replied kicking small smooth pebble into the gentle current.
Under better circumstances Legolas would have quite enjoyed exploring the rivers edge. It had a stone bed which created little pools of water for the river's creatures to hide in. He peered curiously into the one Tauriel's rock had disrupted. Small fish danced out of its way as the water rippled violently in their small pond, he watched as the fish and the water settled from its unwelcome guest. The semi stillness returned to the water creating an almost reflective surface.
What he saw in the reflection disturbed him. His head shot up to look at the sky, his heart convulsed with fear as he looked up. Black clouds hung like heavy smoke in the air, it appeared almost living as it convulsed and moved in a way he had never seen clouds move. What was worse, the black masses almost appeared ablaze, it's core appearing like hot fire flashing angrily. Legolas heard Tauriel gasp as she followed his gaze. He felt as the others joined them in gazing up at the unusual formation.
"Is it a storm?" Legolas asked. Knowing very well that it wasn't. No one bothered to answer him, all of them silently anticipating what might happen next. For a few minutes the storm did not change, it just continued to writhe into itself. Suddenly a loud clap of thunder emitted from the center of the clouds and the mass shrank into itself. Creating a black mass so thick Legolas was sure he could have walked upon it. Light suddenly pierced through the clouds like the brightest of dawns after the darkest of nights, causing Legolas to avert his eyes. When he looked up he saw something falling from the storm's center. It took Legolas a few moments to realize that the object was a person, a small person at that. He watched slightly horrified as the person fell. It wasn't until their body hit the river with a loud slap that Legolas came to his senses. Without thinking he shucked off his weapons and boots and jerked towards the water.
"Legolas!" His father shouted attempting in vain to prevent his son from swimming out to this mysterious figure. Legolas was swift on his feet though and hopped up on the larger rocks along the shore, diving in when the water became deep enough. The water was extremely cold this late in fall and it numbed his limbs almost immediately. Luckily, Legolas was a strong swimmer thanks to his father whom had insisted upon teaching him to swim personally. He was easily able to glide through the water, even despite that he was fully clothed. he allowed the current to direct him down stream hoping the person had been directed by the current in the same manor. With a small surge of joy he saw the figure-a maid actually-drifting through the current. Her hair and clothing were light amongst the dark water of the river. Small bubbles glittered around her and stuck in her hair, casting an ethereal appearance. Legolas reached her side in a matter of seconds and gently scooped her into his arms. He pushed off the river's floor to force himself through the gentle waves. The cold air hit his face cruelly as he surfaced with the young maid. She hung lifeless in his arms, her head and neck bobbing unsupported in the water, but he knew she was breathing he could hear it even over the rush of water. He had to kick his way to the shore since his arms were immobilized. He caught sight of the guards readied at the shore to relieve him of her weight. He also saw his father watching him with a stony glare, clearly not happy with his act of heroics. Legolas was sure to get an earful from the King later on. Legolas hauled himself onto the rocks after they had taken the woman from him, he found himself incredibly tired from the small venture and wanted little more than to sprawl out there. He was in the process of rolling onto his feet when he heard his father's sharp intake of breath. Legolas looked up to find his father staring at the Elleth a range of emotions on his face so wide Legolas couldn't name half of them: disbelief, shock, and confusion were but a few. Legolas turned to look at the woman more closely. She was coughing up water and starting to regain consciousness. Her clothes like Legolas' were soaked and clinging to her small frame. She looked vaguely familiar to Legolas with her long blond hair and delicate features, but many Ellith had such features. She looked very confused and tired as her eyes took in her surroundings.
"Who is she?" Legolas asked curiously looking back up at the sky. It was not every day that beautiful she-elves fell out of the sky, she had to be special or unique to befall such a fate. His father just ignored him. He was untying the heavy cloak about his shoulders and clasping it under the woman's chin. She was starting to lose consciousness again, she would probably need to see a healer, not doubt she sustained some type of injuries just from her impact with the water.
Legolas watched in confusion as father drew the woman's face in his hands and kissed her forehead with the gentlest of care. She was completey unconscious now as the King gathered the woman up into his arms. She was completely swallowed in the large cloak making her look tiny and fragile like a doll.
"I do not understand, who is she?"Legolas questioned. As his father walked past him towards his stag. Gorchanar paused at Legolas's side looking bewildered. It was almost comical to see the normally stoic guard look so stunned.
"My Prince. It is your mother, the former Queen." The guard stated stiffly. Legolas stared at him agape, slightly annoyed at the insinuation. He could see the resemblance now, he hadn't known his mother more than a few years. He only knew her face from foggy memories of his youth and a poorly rendered portrait of her in his father's study.
"My mother is dead. What you suggest is impossible." Legolas pointed out.
"No my prince. The Queen's death was shrouded in a good amount of unusual circumstances-" the guard paused. "I was there. This however is a story you should ask our King." The guard gave him a bow and was about to mount his own horse when Legolas stopped him.
"But how do you know it's my mother?" He asked still confused.
"You will discover for your self soon that your mother has quality about her unlike any other." The guard looked thoughtful for a moment. "It's a sort of aura of light, it warms you. It's a gift that is common in her familial line." The guard smiled gently at Legolas before pulling his horse alongside the King's.