Chapter 1: The Beginning

The Cursed Past

Rating: PG-13 for future chapters.

Disclaimer: I do not own any recognizable character, setting, place and so on, in Middle Earth. It belongs to J.R.R Tolkien. Any other characters or locations are of my own creations.

Summary: When someone from the past resurfaces to threaten Rivendell, Aragorn and Legolas go missing, and Elladan and Elrohir receive mysterious injuries. Can Elrond protect his sons from the vengeful stranger before it is too late?

Author's Note: I am aware that some of the history and events in this story may not be correct, but if this bothers you please notify me and I will do my best to fix them. This is my first fic ever, so please don't get too judgy! If you have any ideas of where this story should go, alert me and I will be happy to include your ideas in my stories.

Chapter 1

As Elrond Peredhil, Lord of Rivendell walked into the Hall of Fire one soft spring morning, he was surprised to find his youngest son already sitting at the table. Estel's silver eyes sparkled in greeting, and he wore a mischievous smile on his face.

"Good morning ada."

Estel looked up at him with innocent eyes, but he failed in preventing a grin that was forming at the corner of his lips.

"Why are you up so early ion nin?"

Elrond decided that whatever Estel was planning, he would be safer much further away from him. As he settled down in an armchair, leaving a few seats between them, his son answered.

"Oh, no special reason, ada, I awoke with the spring sun and decided to come down for some breakfast."

Suddenly, an infuriated roar came from the room upstairs.

"ESTEL!"

Elrond was positive that Elladan's roar could be heard all throughout Imladris.

"And that's my cue to go", Estel said hastily, "I'll see you later this afternoon ada".

"Wait, Aragorn, remember Legolas is arriving today. I am sure he would be disappointed if his best friend was not here to welcome him".

Aragorn's grey eyes lit up. "Of course I will be here, father, it has been almost six months since Legolas last visited!"

The doors to the Hall of Fire abruptly swung open, and hit the walls with a loud bang. A fair skinned elf with raven black hair stood in the opening, his grey eyes steely in anger. Elrond opened his mouth, about to scold Elladan for his treatment of the doors, but clamped it shut when he lifted his eyes to the older twin's face.

Estel stifled a laugh. Elladan's usually perfect dark hair was covered in small pink plastic flowers.

"Sweet Eru, Aragorn, what did you do?" Asked a baffled Elrond.

"What did he do? WHAT DID HE DO? He glued flowers into my hair! Pink flowers! And they won't come out!" Elladan yelled.

Aragorn roared with laughter. Behind Elladan, a sleepy but cheerful Elrohir walked through the open doors.

"Elladan calm down. The glue will dissolve in less than twenty-four hours. You only have to walk around looking like a young elleth for today!" Elrohir snorted, unsuccessfully trying to mask his amusement.

Elladan whirled on him. "You were involved in this?" He lunged at his twin. Elrohir nimbly darted out of the way.

"It was Estel's idea! All I did was give him the recipe for the glue and-"

"You are only digging yourself a deeper grave, brother," said Elladan heatedly.

"Calm down, all of you!" Cried Elrond, "Prince Legolas is arriving today, and I will not have my sons acting like mere elflings! Estel, I suggest you and Elrohir go and prepare a spare room for the prince, and Elladan, I advise you not to leave the halls until the glue has dissolved, and those cursed flowers come out."

Unsuccessfully hiding their smirking faces, Estel and Elrohir went to prepare a spare chamber. Elladan stalked off to his room, leaving Elrond alone in the Hall of Fire.

"Great Valar, why was I cursed with such immature sons?" Elrond thought to himself. But as fate would have it, the twins' troublemaking ways had not been enough. He had been blessed with Estel, who was almost as difficult as the twins, if not more. And with Legolas on the way… Elrond would be surprised if they all survived until summer.

A few hours later, everything was more or less back to normal, apart from Elladan's hair, and the glaring stares he gave to his brothers that promised a gruesome, bloody death. Prince Legolas was set to arrive in less than an hour, and Estel could barely contain his excitement.

A few weeks ago, it had been Aragorn's twenty-second birthday. Legolas had not been able to come to Imladris, as he was assisting his father with the abundance of orcs that seemed to be appearing in Mirkwood. But relenting to the prince's pleads, Thranduil had sent Legolas to Rivendell with an escort of two elves.

Aragorn gazed at the clear, shimmering River Bruinen. He had come here to clear his head, as well as to get away from Elladan. Something didn't feel right. He couldn't shake the disturbing feeling that something was wrong with Legolas, that his elven friend needed his help. Pushing himself to his feet, he sprinted to the stables, chose a horse and rode out of Rivendell, in the direction of Mirkwood.

Legolas raised his twin blades, pushing them against a sword that had been about to detach his head from his body. Beside him, his elven escorts Tatharon and Haerelon fired arrows into the group surrounding them. What worried Legolas the most was that their attackers were not orcs. They were men. Usually, men wandering the forests around Rivendell were friendly, and would never dare cause harm to an elf. The prince's thoughts were distracted as another blade appeared out of nowhere, swinging toward his right arm. Moving to slow, the blade left a long cut down the length of Legolas's arm.

Jerking back in pain, the man took advantage of the weakness in Legolas's defences, and stepped toward him. The prince raised his bleeding arm in determination, driving his knife into the chest of his attacker. Taking this short reprieve, Legolas glanced around the clearing. Stumbling forward, Legolas was intercepted by an arrow, whizzing past him, missing him by inches. Taking the prince by surprise, the man was able to fire another arrow at Legolas. Dazed, the fair-haired prince did not have time to move out of the way. Suddenly, a shadow passed in front of him, and Legolas closed his eyes, ready for the arrow to hit him. Nothing came. Instead he heard a loud thud.

Opening his eyes, he looked down. Haerelon lay on his stomach, an arrow embedded in his back, dead at Legolas's feet. Dropping to his knees, Legolas grasped Haerelon shoulders and turned him over. His face was bruised and dirty, and his glazed blue eyes were lifeless. Legolas's heart sank. He hadn't known the elf well, but he did know that Haerelon was a loyal elf, proud of his service to the king. It hurt to lose good warriors.

Looking up, the fair-haired elf saw Tatharon standing in front of him. He bore a few cuts and bruises, but nothing life-threatening. His face flickered with grief as he looked at the fallen Haerelon. Legolas moaned slightly as the cut in his side burned, bleeding through his tunic.

Concerned, Tatharon stepped closer.

"Prince Legolas, are you alright?"

Blinking the sweat out of his eyes, Legolas replied. "Yes I am fine."

Putting his hand on Tatharon's shoulder, Legolas tried to comfort the grieving elf. "Haerelon was a good elf."

Tatharon gave a sad smile. "Yes, he died an honourable death. Protecting you and me."

Guilt immediately filled the prince's eyes. Haerelon had met his death defending him. Defending a member of the royal family that had never even taken the time to get to know him.

Tatharon saw this. "My prince, this is not your fault. Haerelon would be proud that he met his end defending you. This is what he trained for."

Even as he heard the words, Legolas didn't believe them. Haerelon did not deserve to die like that. The very least they could do was give him a peaceful resting place. But they did not have time. Legolas rose, his blue eyes shining in determination. "We must get to Rivendell".

TBC…

Ada – father

Ion nin – my son

Okay, this was the first chapter to my first fanfiction ever. I am incredibly nervous about this and if you want me to write more, please tell me! It would definitely help my confidence. Please review!