Title: Repairing the Darkness

Summary: When an elf, bent on seeking glory for his part in the battle for Middle-Earth, kidnaps Legolas, Aragorn and Gimli will stop at nothing to rescue their friend. But with time running out, the pair realise that they may just not be enough to save their beloved friend.

DISCLAIMER:I DON'T OWN LORD OF THE RINGS OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS; I AM JUST USING THEM ALONG WITH A FEW OC'S

A/N: My first fan fic shakes with nerves Please be nice ) This story is set about 10 years after the War of the Ring. Aragorn is almost 100, and so is Gimli. Legolas is just over 3000, whilst Arwen is just below this. Faramir is in his late forties and Éowyn is in her thirties. Seems an overload of info, but I like to try and make these things clear. Oh and Elvish translations are at the bottom of the chapter

"My Lord!" Beriadan skidded to a halt in front of the Elven King's throne. "My Lord! Our scouts have reported that..."

Thranduil cut his new chief of security off: "Beriadan, man carel le?!" he demanded harshly. Beriadan seemed taken aback for a moment, and then realisation dawned on his weather-beaten face. He bowed to his king before standing in a smart posture.

"Forgive, my King. I forgot that I shouldn't be so hasty in reporting security's findings to you." Thranduil half smiled at the quiet, down beaten apology. Although Beriadan still had a lot to learn, Thranduil couldn't help liking the elf. His honest face and eagerness to please teamed with his skill with both longbow and blade were the reason Thranduil had appointed him as chief of security just days ago. The King rose gracefully out of the large, carved throne, nodding his head to the few courtiers in his throne room, before exiting to his private study, with Beriadan following him closely. Barely before Thranduil had managed to take a seat before his desk, Beriadan launched into his report.

"My Lord. My scouts have reported that...," he gulped, "that your son..." Beriadan's voice trailed off as he saw his King's face grow pale, and his eyes fill with worry.

Beriadan, even with Elvish hearing, struggled to hear Thranduil's next words. "Yes, Beriadan, what about my son?"

"My lord, he is in grave danger. We have heard whispers of a traitor, who has set out to destroy this peace, everything we've spent 10 years trying to build. He seems also to be intent on destroying the Prince." Beriadan tried to keep his voice calm, but he could see the pain his news was inflicting, and cursed his luck at having to tell a father that his precious child was in danger, resulting in his words coming out in a rush. For a moment there was silence, and Beriadan thought that Thranduil hadn't quite understood everything he said. He debated repeating himself, but realised he didn't need to.

"Beriadan, I want you to protect the Prince. I want a guard near him at all times. Do not let him come to any harm. Now, leave me" Thranduil issued his command, not allowing any of his feelings to betray him in his voice. As Beriadan turned to leave through the door, Thranduil issued his final command;

"And Beriadan, do not let the Prince suspect you are watching him. I want him oblivious to the fact he is in danger. Before you question this, I shall tell you. My son would go after the Elf who threatens him. I do not wish for him to do that, not yet" With this, Thranduil started to go through his daily regime of looking over papers and treaties. He didn't even notice Beriadan leave the room

Mirkwood was once again peaceful after the many years it had spent under shadow. Elves from both the ElvenKing and Lothlorien had destroyed Dol Guldur, chasing the shadow away with it. Celeborn of Lothlorien had taken the part of Mirkwood surrounding Dol Guldur and had renamed it East Lorien. Thranduil ruled the majority of the forest, which was now known under its former name – Greenwood the Great. The spiders and orcs had retreated, though patrols of elves still hunted them, to cleanse their forest and make it a place of good once more.

However, all was not good in the forest. In the Mountains of Mirkwood, a shadowy figure stood at a cave entrance, looking out over the tree tops. The sun was setting, turning the sky a blood red. Thengoldrim's black eyes reflected the red, seeming to his captain, Marcaunon, to make him even more menacing. Marcaunon's eyes travelled over his master for a moment. Everything about Thengoldrim was dark, from his clothes to his eyes & hair. Marcaunon had been serving Thengoldrim long enough to even suspect that his master's heart itself was black, for no normal heart could produce such cruelty. As the sun disappeared below the tree line, Thengoldrim turned slowly to face his captain. He nodded with approval at Marcaunon's attire.

'Good' he thought to himself, 'the Elfling has started to become like me, and without my... persuasion.'

To Marcaunon, he said; "Has your witless brother taken the bait? Or is he trying to be a clever little elfling and save the day himself?"

Marcaunon grinned as he replied, his tone full of glee. "Yes, my lord. As soon as Beriadan heard that his precious Princey was in trouble, he ran to tell his master, like the little lap dog that he is. And the King, wanting to no doubt protect his only child, has commanded that he is to be guarded". Elation ran through Marcaunon as Thengoldrim actually smiled; his efforts to help his master weren't being unnoticed.

"Good, Marcaunon. You have done well. The King is playing right into our hands. As soon as the stupid, young Princling finds out he's being guarded, he'll escape from daddy's clutches, right into your hands. Are your troop ready?"

Marcaunon bowed slightly, "Yes, 12 of our finest fighters, garbed in woodland hues, ready to take the Prince". Thengoldrim waved his hand, as though swotting a fly

"Take them into the forest and wait for the Prince. Complete your errand then wait with the troop. Do not return until you have him. Do Not Fail Me." Thengoldrim's cold, quiet voice issued more fear than if he had bellowed the final four words. He silently handed his captain a folded piece of parchment, then watched him leave, smiling slightly as he realised his dream was within his grasp.

Thengoldrim murmured to himself, seeming to not notice the cave around him grow dark

"We stayed here and fought forces to great to imagine. We stopped thousands of orcs from being able to defeat the armies of King Elessar. But no praise or recognition from anyone in middle-earth. Even our King was more preoccupied with his son. Meanwhile, the Prince fought alongside a dwarf and a man, getting all the praise and thanks, snubbing the rest of us. But now, now I will be King, and I will take his place, and make Arda realise who it really owes allegiance to." With that, Thengoldrim melted into the shadows of the cave, and waited for the final stretch of his plan to play out.

: Hope that was ok!!! I tend to let the characters talk or think a lot – just like me, lol. Any suggestions or pointers, or reviews in general would be much appreciated. I started writing the next chapter in drama, so it should be up by this time next week!!

man carel le – what are you doing