How could he possibly betray the memory of his wife with a human no less? But it was oh so difficult to resist once Thranduil had brought Ciri to his bed. They had not copulated but he had come close to it on too many occasions.

He had always resorted to pleasing her with his mouth and hands instead and she had returned the favor. Ciri drove him crazy with desire, he who had refused to be touched by any other female after his wife's death.

Thranduil was alive beneath her skilful hands. At this point, he could care less about the scandal and the gossip in his court, in his fantasy he was reunited with his wife, she had returned to him.

...

"My love, our son Legolas is among the Dunedain," He said.

"Shouldn't he be here with us? After all, he is just a little babe, I worry for him," Ciri said.

"Ciri, how old is our son?" Thranduil asked curiously.

"He's only two summers old," she said.

Two years old. Legolas' age when his mother died.

"When will he be back? I miss him," Ciri said.

"Soon, I will send an urgent message for him to be returned," he said, smiling reassuringly.

...

Legolas could not believe the news. There was a white-haired human woman who had stolen his father's heart, dining with him, sharing his bed and even sitting on her own throne.

It was madness. Legolas knew his father treated mortals with contempt, he even looked down on Tauriel for being a wood elf. Why was this human so special? He was about to find out.

"Your Highness, Prince of Mirkwood," a messenger said, bowing. "The King and Queen of Mirkwood request your presence at the halls of Thranduil."

"King... and Queen?" Legolas said. "She presumes to take my mother's place?"

"Forgive me, your Highness. That was all that your father wished to convey. His Highness could not stress enough the urgency of this matter," the messenger said.

"Very well, I shall go," he said.

Legolas' party was attacked by an unknown group of monsters, the like of which they had never encountered before. The monsters had multiple legs and resembled the giant spiders that infested Mirkwood, however these ones scurried sideways and had hard shells which were impervious to arrows.

"What do I do now?" Legolas muttered to himself.

All of a sudden, a cloaked figure appeared out of a thin air. The figure held a staff which glowed and crackled with power. Legolas watched as the mysterious stranger fought off the monsters.

"What were those?" He asked.

The stranger replied, "Sandcrabs. They followed me through the portal."

Legolas' men warily surrounded the stranger. "Reveal yourself," a guard said.

Avallac'h pulled back his hood. "My name is Crevan Espane aep Caomhan Macha. You may address me as Avallac'h. I am known as an Aen Saevherne, a Knowing One," he said.

"You're an elf," Legolas said. "However, I have never seen such ability as you have wielded. Which tribe of elves do you come from?"

"I am of the Aen Elle, from Tir nĂ¡ Lia," Avallac'h said.

"I have never heard of the names you mentioned," Legolas said regretfully. "Are you a wizard?"

Avallac'h paused in thought. "You could call me that, but a sage is much more than a mere user of magic," he said.

"Magic?" Legolas said, laughing. "Only humans call such things they do not understand as 'magic'. Of my race of elves, we have the ability to heal injuries; talk to trees, grass and stones; tame animals and of course, immortality.

"Immortality? You mean your race never die?" Avallac'h asked in shock.

"Yours do? I thought all elves were immortal," Legolas said curiously.

"So you have nothing to fear, nothing can kill you," Avallac'h said.

"I didn't say that, we can still die from arrows or fire or poison for example. Just that if nothing threatens our lives, we would continue to live forever," Legolas explained.

"I am... unable to talk to the trees, rocks and grass as you do," Avallac'h said. "A Knowing One's knowledge is supposed to encompass all things yet I am lacking in this part."

"And I have only seen Gandalf and Galadriel having a similar ability of defeating enemies as you," Legolas said.

"Are they elves?" Avallac'h asked.

"Gandalf is a being called an Ainu. Ainur are regarded as holy beings by some. Galadriel, Lady of Light, is widely considered as one of the greatest of the elves. She was a student of and friend of various Ainur.

"Galadriel is also the bearer of an elven ring of power, one out of three," Legolas said. "And do you possess such an artifact?" He gestured at Avallac'h's staff.

"This staff is a fairly common magical tool. Such a rare power as you so describe does exist in my world, but I do not possess it.

"Earlier, you mentioned humans. I am here searching for a human girl. She is my ward, under my care," Avallac'h said.

"Come with me to the Woodland Realm, to my father's halls. There is a human woman there who might be the one you're looking for," Legolas said. "My father is the elven king, he has recently taken a human queen. She appeared out of nowhere, just like you."

"Yes, I will come with you," Avallac'h said.

...

Servants and guards bowed at the entrance of Legolas.

"Legolas Greenleaf, son of Thranduil, Prince of Mirkwood," a guard announced.

"Father, I have returned," Legolas said.

"Who is that?" Ciri said. Her eyes were wide and her hands gripped the arms of her throne.

She teleported down the steps of her throne and stopped in front of Legolas and Avallac'h. Ciri was confused, looking between them both.

Thranduil joined them, standing by Ciri's side. He pointedly ignored Avallac'h's presence. "My love, this is our son, Legolas," Thranduil said.

"Legolas, my son whom I love more than life? Already a grown man? I... I don't understand," Ciri said.

Legolas was too shocked to respond.

"Ciri, he is not your son. That necklace you wear around your neck is corrupting your memories," Avallac'h said reproachfully. "Ciri... Zireael, it's me, Avallac'h."

"I don't know who you are, but I think I have seen, met you before... aah!" Ciri gasped in pain.

Avallac'h tried to take off the necklace but it burned his hand.

"Guards! Arrest him!" Thranduil roared in rage, pointing at Avallac'h.

"Father, no!" Legolas said in dismay.

Avallac'h was surrounded by guards. He held out his hand and suddenly they all fell down unconscious.