A/N Chapter 1 rewrite :)


1. On to the Shire

"Oh, you can search far and wide
You can drink the whole town dry
But you'll never find a beer so brown
As the one we drink in our hometown"

Back in the Shire, once again upon the wooden tables of the Green Dragon, two well known hobbits were dancing their hearts out. Both carrying two big mugs that seemed to spill most of their drinks during the dancing act.

"You can drink your fancy ales
You can drink 'em by the flagon
But the only brew for the brave and true
Comes from the Green Dragon"

They clunked their mugs together, and leaned back their heads drinking whatever was left of the brew inside them while the room clapped and laughed.

Most of the other hobbits around seemed entertained by the two young hobbits and roared their approval. Frodo and Sam sat at the table clapping their hands for Merry and Pippin, laughing heartily. Once done, Merry and Pippin sat back down at the table and all the commotion in the bar slowly settled down.

"And that is how we did it in Edoras, among many tall men and women!" Pippin explained loudly to his best friends.

Sam laughed, entertained by the hobbit's enthusiasm, trying to imagine what it would have been like. "Everyone was in such a great mood, because we had just retaken Isengard with Treebeard and the Ents" Merry added on to the story.

The barkeep moved over to the hobbit's table and dropped two new mugs down for Merry and Pippin. "Try not to spill these all over the place" he said with a smile.

"And you may want to keep down the crazytalk, I don't know what you lads were up to when you left 6 years ago, but no need to invent over-exaggerated stories! Save them for the little children, they'll eat up every word of that nonsense, just like old Bilbo's fairytales."

As he walked away the mood at the table dampened. No one believed their stories, they came home heroes and to everyone in the Shire they were the same people that left a year before. Sometimes it was nice, to just pretend that it all didn't happen. To just fall back into the community and home they always knew and loved. It was a great comfort knowing their home was right there waiting for them, unaffected by what went on in the rest of the world.

But on other times it was a loneliness, what happened to all of them during the War of the Ring, it was a big life-changing event. It changed them, especially Frodo and sometimes they came to the awful realization that they were not the same and somehow they did not fit back into the lives they left behind. They were not unaffected, unaltered by that year, they carried weights with them now that nobody understood. Of course they had each other, but sometimes it just wasn't enough.

Sam had Rosie, she believed him, every word of every tale he told her. She trusted his words, like she trusted him with everything. But even then, she believed it, but did not understand it. Sometimes it didn't feel any different to Sam when he told Rosie or when he told a small child. She would just sit quiet and listen, excited, but without any feedback or understanding.

The four hobbits shared a look of understanding sadness and decided to call it a night. It wasn't the first time it happened. As they took their first steps out the door of the Green Dragon, Frodo came up with an idea to cheer them all up.

"Why don't you all stay over in Bag End tonight, we can reminisce"

Merry and Pippin, unattached and eager for something interesting to do took only seconds to accept the invitation. Sam obviously wanted to accept the invitation straight away as well, but being the loyal responsible hobbit as he was, he had to inform Rosy before he could join them.

He held up his finger as to indicate to his friends to wait as he turned around and went back through the door. A few minutes later he returned to his friends, waiting impatiently on the road outside the bar. "All clear!"


Legolas wandered through Mirkwood in thought, the shadow that rested on his soul would not let him be. He was searching for a clue, any reason to believe his weariness was not just a mere feeling. None of his kinsmen had mentioned anything to be amiss, none of them had felt what he was feeling.

Legolas continued walking through the woods, his hands lingering on the trunks of the trees as he passed them, hoping perhaps they would tell him something. But it was to no avail, nothing would give him clarity on his feelings and no omen fell from the sky.

After a few hours of searching in vain, Legolas decided the answer must be laying outside Mirkwood. The feeling was but a dull ache in the back of his mind, gnawing at him. He had to find out what it was, he could not just shove aside the feeling and pretend nothing was wrong. If something were to happen to Middle Earth and he could have prevented it, or at least known of it earlier to make a difference... No, he had to give his elvish senses the importance they deserved, he had to go.

King Thranduil looked upon his youngest son, surprised by his request, yet understanding. He knew his youngest was different, he had always been different. His wife long ago had made several comments upon it, as if she had been able to see the future. She was carrying her third son at the time and had continually told Thranduil that this one would be special, he'd be better at things as his brothers, he'd be a good soul.

He remembered her vividly, she was beautiful, long golden locks covered her head to her lower back. She was enthralling and as beautiful as she was to behold, her kindness was what captivated anyone who met her. She was, in the king's eyes, more beautiful as her best friend, the Lady Galadriel.

She had been right, but to Thranduil's grief she never got to experience it herself. Upon his last son's birth her body just faded away. Before anyone could come to her aid, she had already passed on. He had not understood and his grief stayed with him for many years. It had tainted his relationship with Legolas, whenever he looked upon his son with his fair features, he was reminded of her. He was both proud and pained by it, pride not settling in until it was many seasons after her passing.

"I need to leave Mirkwood father, I need to find the reason of my unrest. I know something is happening beyond our borders. I wish to consult the fellowship, to ask for their experiences and wisdom."

The king nodded, Legolas had always been a sensitive elf and he trusted the young ones instincts. He knew though, that there was much more to his son as he let on.

"If you feel this would set your mind at ease, my son, I trust you know what you are doing. But that is not the only reason for you to depart, correct?"

Legolas cast his eyes to the ground and took a moment to gather his thoughts. There were so many things going on inside him it was hard to straighten them out.

"Indeed father. Despite that I am prince and love my kinsmen, my brothers and yourself. A bond has been forged between the members of the fellowship, they are my true friends and I miss them. Besides, Mirkwood only reminds me of..." he fell silent.

"My son, it has been over 60 years. I know your pain is deep, but can you not forget? She would not have wanted you to feel like this for so long, she would have wanted you to move on. When your mother passed away it took me long to recover from it as well, but..."

"I cannot just forget father! I don't even remember how it happened exactly, all I know is that I failed her. I've fought many battles, protected the ring bearer and my friends against impossible odds. But her, I could not protect her. I cannot forget!" Legolas' eyes burned with guilt and pain.

He took a deep breath and regained his composure. "Be that as it may, it is not the reason for my departure. I feel the world has need of me elsewhere, I feel it is my responsibility to find out what it is that I can sense. I feel it growing darker, like an unseen shadow in the back of my mind. I need to unveil it, before it can become something more harmful to Middle Earth."

Thranduil nodded to his son, feeling he had done his son wrong. He knew all too well what it was like when others wanted you to move on from something you were not yet done grieving for. It had been too soon for Legolas.

"I shall send my fastest couriers to retrieve the other members of your company for you. What would you wish me to tell them?"

"Tell them..." Legolas pondered for a moment, he had no real evidence anything was yet wrong. "Tell Mithrandir, Estel and Gimli of my suspicions and to meet me in Imladris as soon as they can. I shall ride towards the Shire and see how our hobbits fare and escort them there myself, I bet they are eager to see Bilbo again." The prince smiled.

"Very well my son, I bid you to take good care of yourself. May you find your way beyond our borders and may hope and happiness find you on your journey. When your quest is over, your brothers and I will welcome you back home." It was both a command as it was a kind farewell from the king. Being the youngest, Legolas was no heir to the throne of Mirkwood, but his father wanted him back home none the less.

Legolas bowed before his father, thanked him and retreated to leave the room. The prince went to pack for his journey, taking the usual necessities and readying his bow, quiver and daggers. Some servants came by offering him a few loafs of Lembas bread for him to take, wishing him well. He took whatever they offered him and thanked them all personally for their help. He knew all of his kinsmen by name and often stopped to talk to them, he was always well informed of what was going on in the kingdom.

It didn't take Legolas long to prepare himself fully and he departed before the sun was at its highest that day. On to the Shire.

It had been a few days of travelling for Legolas. He had taken his own steeds from the stables back home at Mirkwood, one with remarkable speed. It was not a warhorse, light and swift it was meant to travel distances fast. He had made a swift stop at Rivendell, informing the Lord Elrond of what was happening. Naturally the elven elder had no opposition to the plans of the Mirkwood prince.

His steed carried him as far as Bree, where he decided to continue on foot. The Shire was only a little further on and his horse had grown tired. Legolas knew she would find her way home in time.

Legolas dismounted his beautiful white horse. "Hannon le, Rochiril" he whispered to her as he embraced the horse's head and rubbed her gently over her neck. "Find a safe road home, we will meet again". The horse whinnied and rubbed its head against the elf's slender but strong body to bid him a farewell. Rochiril turned around and galloped back down the road they had come from.

Legolas trailed her until she was but a dot in the distance, silently sending out his blessings so she would find her way home safely. It was nearing the end of the day and the sun was slowly sinking towards the horizon. Legolas stared over the meadows when his elvish eyes could no longer see Rochiril and realized the beauty of his surroundings. Lush grass spreading out miles around him and the evening sky painted in the most beautiful shades of pink and purple.

The town of Bree was a bit down the road, but Legolas decided he did not want to venture there tonight. Despite his long journey he was not yet weary and eager to see his friends. Besides, the nature was beautiful to him and he would not want to blind his eyes to it tonight. He was an elf after all, tiredness and the cold of the night's wind did not affect him like it would many others. He would reach the Shire come morning if he kept his pace up.

Just before he meant to turn around, he noticed a bright light coming from the nearby woods north of Bree. His hands at the ready to grab his bow and notch an arrow he watched as the light seemed to come closer towards him. He kept his eye on the light and it became brighter and soon realized it was of no threat.

"Ceriella" Legolas called her name as he moved swiftly to her side at the small forests edge. "What are you doing here? It is not safe for unicorns here" he told the mystical creature.

"Prince Greenleaf, it pleases me to see you again" she spoke to the prince in elvish, her voice as if she was practically singing. "Unfortunately, my visit to you is one burdened with grave news. I have come to warn you dear prince."

Legolas feared his feelings of a dark shadow hovering above Middle Earth were now realized. He had waited for something to either acknowledge his feelings to be correct, but most of all he had hoped it was but a mere feeling. It couldn't have been anything small if Ceriella dared to show herself in the open like this.

"You have felt it too, did you not?" The unicorn noticed his troubled features and the elf nodded. "A new dark force is after this realm Legolas. It was taught under Saruman for many years, his pupil. He had kept it hidden well, but now that Saruman is gone, his pupil is after revenge, perhaps even to help return the wizard back to Middle Earth. I fear it may first come after you and the fellowship, you all are in grave danger, especially you Prince Greenleaf."

"I know Ceriella, I feel it all around me. Where should I go to find this force? What am I to do?" he asked the wise mystical creature. "Head south Legolas, towards Orthanc in Isengard. I think it will be there, as it was created by the evil wizard."

Legolas nodded, realization setting in that a new quest had indeed begun. He now had the acknowledgement he was searching for and the information on where to head to absolve Middle Earth of this new threat. His friend could no longer stay here, out in the open. Her existence was not widely known and she would be in too much danger if it was. "Please go back quickly Ceriella, you are nearly the last unicorn, please keep yourself safe," The elf kissed the animal on her forehead, then urged her to leave.

"Remember I will always be here when you need me, you don't have to bother to call upon me," she whispered before going. Legolas merely nodded in response, "My dear Ceriella, I would never do anything to start the extinction of unicorns, so I will not call upon you. Not even when there would seem no way out of the darkness, I will not call upon you."

As Ceriella disappeared, with new resolve Legolas made his way to the Shire. They had a new purpose, he had to reunite the fellowship before any of them would come to harm. Before anyone in Middle Earth would come to harm from this dark wizard's pupil.


Legolas entered the Shire and was amused by the little children around him. They all stayed near him and whispered to each other that he was an elf. Soon hordes of children had flocked around the tall elf "Lookie, a real elf in the Shire." "He's pretty," a little girl noticed. Some older teenage girls gasped as the prince walked by, "He's...so handsome." they whispered to each other between endless giggles.

"Whatcha name?" a little girl asked, pulling his hand. "Legolas." the prince answered briefly as he kneeled to the girl. "And yours?" "Mirennia" the girl giggled.

Now that the prince had interacted with one of the little children, they all were no longer ashamed to bombard the elf with various questions."I heard elves are really old, are you old?" "You have the longest hair I've ever seen, do you ever cut it?" "Are all elves as tall as you?"

"You the prince of elves?" a little boy gently pushed Mirennia aside to get Legolas' attention. Legolas nodded. "Prince of Mirkwood," he added. All the young boys and girls around him gasped. "A handsome elf prince!" the teen girl on the side gasped out loud. It made Legolas blush slightly, as he stood up. "I'm sorry boys and girls, but I have to proceed." he excused himself and went on to Hobbiton.

He opened the gate at the front of the house and smiled. "Finally, Frodo's house," he sighed, a little tired. The prince had not felt himself since he had noticed the dark force and now felt it grow, darkness flooding his senses. He knocked at the door, waiting for an answer.

"Who is it?!" a loud voice called from the other side of the door. Legolas remembered the voice, it was Pippin. "Are they all here?" he wondered. He decided not to answer as not to spoil the surprise and waited for the door to be opened. "WHO IS IT?" the young hobbit yelled from inside, clearly not wanting to go through the effort of opening the door if it was anyone unimportant.

Legolas heard a soft curse being muttered and laughed silently, he would soon find out it would be worth it. The big round door of Bag End slowly opened and revealed the small form of a curly haired hobbit. Pippin stood in the doorway, completely surprised and in disbelief of what his eyes were seeing in front of him. He just stood there, his left hand on the door, staring up at Legolas' face, his voice seemingly had abandoned him

"Good to see you my dear friend" Legolas spoke, hoping it would break the catatonic state the hobbit was currently in.

"Who is it Pip?"

"PIP!"

Legolas heard two more hobbit feet come towards them from the other side of the door, knowing from the voice it was Merry checking up on his best friend. Legolas saw a hand move towards Pippin that shoved him against the shoulder

"What in the world is u..." Meriadoc's head peaked around the side of the door to see what it was that held Pippin in such a state. Pippin had seemingly awakened from the shove and a smile now grew widely on his face.

"LEGOLAS!"

Merry covered his right ear at the amazingly loud sound and was about to reprimand his friend, had he not run off into the embrace of the elf. He soon followed his example, too happy to care about the slight ringing in his ears.

"Did you say Le..." Sam and Frodo came walking from inside Bag End and soon also locked their eyes on the tall elf in front of the house with the two hobbits clung to him. Merry and Pippin turned around towards their friends "It's Legolas! He's come to visit us after all these years, he's come to see the Shire!" Pippin exclaimed happily.

"Actually Pip, I'm..."

Sam stood grinning widely and Frodo stood in the door opening amazed, "Le...Legolas?" he stuttered, interrupting the prince.

Legolas turned his gaze to the brown haired hobbit and smiled warmly at him "Frodo, it has been too long." "We missed you!" Frodo ran into Legolas' embrace. "I've missed you all too." the prince replied.

"Come in, come in, dear friend," Frodo invited Legolas in. The elf needed to bend down though, as he was a little overgrown to a Hobbit's house. Legolas seated himself in Frodo's kitchen. "Tea?" Frodo asked, but before Legolas could answer, he was already making it.

In the mean time Pippin was launching words at the elf at the speed of light, trying to tell 10 tales at once. "Pippin, shush!" Merry told his friend firmly, "I'm sure Legolas has been wanting to tell us the reason of his visit". Pippin immediately quieted down and with eager eyes awaited the explanation from his tall friend.

"I'm afraid I have some bad news..." Legolas told the four Hobbits.

And so Legolas started his tale, and although the hobbits were a little afraid of this new force, they were enthusiastic about seeing the others again and the adventure. The rest of the day the four Hobbits enjoyed the elf prince's company by showing him around the Shire, and Pippin and Merry kept joking around. How Legolas had missed their joking...

Legolas had agreed on staying one more night before leaving for Rivendell and so evening fell.

"I am afraid I can't offer you a bed Legolas, they are far too small for a tall elf like you," Frodo had told the elf prince. Legolas had thanked Frodo, but told him it was just fine. "The Shire is a beautiful and peaceful place to be, I'll have no regrets seeing some more of it during the night". And so the prince had once more decided to sleep in the nearest tree.


"Legolas! Help me! Legolas!" an elvish maiden cried out in despair. He heard her fighting back, but it was to no avail. "No...don't... Legolas! Legolas help me! Legola..." from one moment to the next she had fallen silent, her pleas for him were no more. Evil laughing replaced the cries.

"No! Lea! No!" He struggled as hard as he could against the handful of orcs holding him. He tried with all his might to get to where he heard her last, so see what had happened, but it was all in vain. The orcs had a strong grip on his arms and shoulders, no matter what he tried, they had overpowered him completely.

"Lea!" He cried her name again, hoping to get any sort of reply from the maiden, but there was nothing. From behind the brush a tall orc came walking towards the clearing they held him captive, dragging behind him a slender body by a silk white arm, dropping it as soon as he noticed the message had reached his other captive.

"No..." His eyes must be deceiving him, this could not be.. "NOO!" the elf was in great rage, but it did not help him release the tight grip the orcs had on his slender body.

The leader orc walked over to the elf, cut and bruised on his bare shoulders, his tunic hanging on him in shreds. He had slain a few of the pack before they had captured him and had taken quite a beating.

"Well well, my elven prince. Prince Greenleaf is it not?" an ugly smirk came across his face. "Have we convinced you to join Sauron's forces?". "Never!" The elf spat back in its hideous face. Legolas tried to reach his daggers after he managed to slip one of his arms from the orcs their grasp.

"Such a shame, then you will pay with your life for declining our master!" The orc took his large blade and shoved it straight through the elf's side. The archer went limp in the arms of the orcs, blood seeping down his tunic to the ground. At the command of their leader they let go of the elf and he fell to the forest floor, groaning in pain.

The leader walked back to where he had let go of Lea's body and gave the last brutal command Legolas had heard "Finish it." The remaining orcs started kicking the fallen prince hard, stabbing and cutting him in various places. Pain blurred all his senses and before long darkness had claimed the elf.


With a loud 'Thud' Legolas fell from the tree he was in and was awakened. He grasped his chest as he felt a sharp pain go through it. "What the..." he grumbled in pain as he grabbed his chest, trying to somehow numb the sharp pain inside it.

Slowly but surely the pain eased down and his thoughts returned to the dream he had just experienced. Though it was no dream...but a memory, a memory he had believed had been lost to him since the accident. "Even outside Mirkwood..." Legolas sighed and looked into the starlit sky. "Lea." his voice was barely above a whisper.


A/N Well that was my first rewrite, which essentially just increased the size of this chapter from 3 to 13 pages! Hope you enjoyed it so far, expect an updated chap 2 to come soon. Review please :)