Loki smiled softly at the child in his arms. The soft wavy blonde hair curled gently around the pointed ears. The nose slightly turned up and reddened by the slight chill. The pale cheeks were rosy and smooth and the soulful blue-grey eyes framed by dark lashes. It was the child's eyes that had captured Loki's attention. They were the color of a stormy sea, the sky on a misty day, and purer than anything he had ever seen before.

Straightening from his crouch and clutching his precious bundle close, Loki surveyed his surroundings. A single drop landed with a small plop on his wrist. Green eyes tracked the red stripe that formed as it trailed down his hand. The tree above him displayed the gruesome remains if what had once been an Orc. Limbs were twisted and severed by the branches and the face was caught in an eternal scream, wooden limbs protruded from the eye sockets. As Loki eyed the tree, the branches shifted. Loki immediately moved, holding the child tight with one arm, he summoned a dagger with the other and watched carefully for any sign of danger. The leaves rustled again and a whisper dragged through the air.

The Asgardian frowned and tilted his head, listening intently.

"Protect." The voice was raspy and almost incomprehensible. "Protect…child…Starprince… darkness...approaches…run...run…away...NOW…"

The last word jolted him out of his stupor and Loki immediately stepped back, searching for the evil that the tree warned him of. A flash of red and hate spilled across his vision as a man entered the small clearing. He was broad shouldered and taller than the Asgardian. His black armor was spiked and seems to absorb all light that touched it. The face, once handsome, decorated with the black veins of darkness and his eyes glowed with rage. In one hand he held staff and the other a sword, wet and gleaming red. As he stepped over the mutilated corpses of elves and orcs alike, he focused his burning gaze on Loki and the babe in his arms.

"You have something that belongs to me." The man's mouth did not move yet his voice echoed in the clearing.

"I think not." The prince responded, adjusting his grip on the child and mentally beginning to open a portal.

"My master demands the elven child. You will hand him over or I shall take him by force." Around him, the trees quaked and shivered. Loki could hear them screaming as their life force drained.

"This child? Why?" Loki kept his voice even as he concentrated on the portal. Just a few more moments was all he needed before the rift was wide enough to step through.

"That is Legolas Thranduilion, youngest prince of the Greenwood. His father's father aided in the defeat of my master's armies. That child is our just retribution."

"Why? This child couldn't have been born at the time. Why not take revenge on the one who did the deed?"

"Legolas Thranduilion bears the mark of the one destined to bring the fall of my master. He is the one I was sent to retrieve."

"Who is your master?"

"That does not matter to you human" The creature sneered.

"You will not live long enough to see his glorious return. Hand the child over now." The thing was clearly done conversing as it advanced, blade held threateningly.

"Perhaps we can continue this discussion at a later date. I seem to be leaving." Loki stepped back just as the rift materialized behind him, swallowing the and his bundle. Before the portal resealed, he could hear the outrageous roar behind him as the beast of a man charged.

Loki sighed in relief as he walked along the branches of Yggdrasil. Had he delayed a moment longer than the child would be in the hands of that monster? Stepping carefully as to not jostle the precious bundle, the mage focused on the path before him. Traveling through the branches is always dangerous and many times he had gotten lost in the tangle of pathways. After what seems like hours, Loki found the exit that would bring him to his rooms in the palace. Surprisingly, Legolas had been silent for the entire journey, gazing up at the face of his savior as if he knew what had occurred.

Looking at the babe, Loki felt his fear and worry melt away. The innocent eyes peered up at him from the bundle of cloth, complete and trusting and melting the warrior's heart.

"Ah, child. You have such a heavy burden upon your shoulders. Sleep now and when the time comes, I will train you to destroy the darkness on your world." He kissed the soft cheek and watched as the eyes fluttered closed. Walking slowly to the bed and flicking his wrist, he laid the elven child gently in the cocoon of blankets.

Mentally reviewing the turbulent events, Loki came to the conclusion that the child had been traveling with his escort when attacked. He faintly recalled seeing the delicate hand of a woman, maybe the mother, covered in red. It was impossible to tell as the rest of the body was unrecognizable. The guard had all ben slaughtered as well. Pieces of them had been strewn about the clearing and although they had done more damage to the orcs, they were simply outnumbered.

The trees also had a hand in the massacre. The one that had spoken seems like it had ripped the monster to pieces for coming near the child. Loki sent a small prayer for peace for those who had died protecting the child and part of him wished to inform the king on the survival of his son.

He couldn't.

Traveling back so soon could alert Odin and the hate-filled creature is no doubt lying in wait. No, Loki would keep the child from that blood-soaked world for as long as he is able. To ensure that Legolas would survive to fulfill his destiny. "