Author's Note

You know the deal. Tolkien is the man, not I.

Chapter Two: "He Will Lose That Hand."

Legolas slowly found his way to his chambers. He took longer than usual, admiring the general beauty of the kingdom, and of course procrastination. He was nervous. Much more nervous than he thought he should be. 'What harm ever came from reading a book?' He thought. To him, and no doubt his father, learning about the past...his past was much more important than his Guard or scouting duties.

"We can better protect ourselves, if we learn from our past." his father had told him, many years ago.

He knew learning the story of his father and his mother would do him no harm, but he could not help but feel something akin to dread, he knew little of how she met her head, and he was not in any way eager to learn the details of her fate. Finally, he found his way to his chamber. He lit a torch that hung from the wall, and set the book and brooch down on a small table in the corner. He removed his cloak and boots and slowly made his way to the table. When he reached his hand out to take the brooch from atop the book, an image of his mother took over his mind.

"Just like that, my son! Now, relax your arm. Focus on your target, and...Release!"

A small elven child soon cried out in glee.

"Did you see mother!? I did it!"

He was brought back to reality, and took the book into his hand. He nervously made his way to his couch and sat down. For a few moments, he allowed the night air to fill his lungs, and he looked at the small stream that ran below. He sighed and sat down and opened to the first page.


The company, though graced with speed was still days away from reaching their home. They were delayed by small bands of orcs or other sots of brigands. They were also delayed by their heavy hearts. Their losses were great. They lost their King, and many of their kin. Though their numbers were greatly diminished, they still traveled with pride and purpose. The Woodland elves now put their faith and hope in Oropher's son, Thranduil. Once back in the Wood, he would be crowned their King. Many thought that this was the beginning of a new era for them, one filled with hope, promise, knowledge, and beauty. They knew little of this new King, but he had shown over the days they have spent traveling that he is one worthy to follow, and respect.

Three days later, as they packed up their camp, their King called;

"I can see it. Our home! Look, all of you! Our home awaits!"

Cheers rang out, and they set off with renewed energy.


Meanwhile, at the start of the Wood a group of elves sat atop the trees and looked off into the distance.

"My Lady, they are coming. They should reach us in hours." Kaylanya, a female member of the guard whispered.

A light, but sharp voice said "Let them come. I am eager to see this new King. "

"Do you think he will let us stay here in peace, like his father?" Kaylanya asked

The Lady laughed harshly and said, "It matters not. We stay. Ah! They finally move!"

Kaylanya, who had always held a respectful fear of her leader was worried. "There is trouble coming, I fear." She thought.


"Quickly! Make all haste! Run free to your home! To the Wood!" Thranduil called. He set off into a sprint, the air rushing past his hair, blowing out his red cloak behind him. He looked magnificent and free when he ran. After a few minutes, they were so close to the Wood, that it was drawing them in. A power lingered over the forest realm, one that none could explain.

Nervously, but with great happiness, the company crossed into the Wood.

Up in the trees the Lady and her party of five watched the King and his company find the path that would take them to their home.

Thranduil thought he heard something, the light cooing of some sort of bird. As soon as he set his eyes to focusing on the source, the group of five elves leapt down from the trees.

"Company, stand back. " His guard all bowed, and took a step back and carefully watched their new King speak to these wild looking people. "Who are you? Are of the former Kings sentinels? I am Thranduil, his son, and new King of this realm."

Silence was his answer. All eyes turned to the back of the party of elves when a sharp, feral sounding laugh rang out.

"I care not who you are, Thranduil, son of Oropher. I an my party have always ourselves in this part of the Wood under no ones rule but mine, and here we will stay."

Anger and annoyance twisted the Elvenking's face into a grimace. "Who spoke that? Show yourself, I command you!"

A dark haired female turned to the shadow hidden Lady and whispered "My Lady, no. I do not trust this Thranduil. Go back, back to the trees."

The Lady laughed, lightly and touched her friend and guard on the shoulder, "I will handle this with my usual tact and charm. It worked on the Father, it will work on the son."

Her guard made a path and let her step into the light. She cocked her head and smiled at the new King, who was still glaring at her with open distrust.

"Do you have a name, she-elf?" Thranduil asked.

"I had one, long ago. But I have since forgotten what it was. I wouldn't know it if it was spoken to me."

A few moments of heavy silence passed, as Thranduil walked a circle around her, trying to take in all that she was. Her clothing, seemed to be made of the leaves that had fallen from the trees. Feathers had been woven into her light hair and shapes of stars had been painted onto her legs. He could not help but think that she was beautiful. Strange, dangerous, and untrustworthy. Had his father known of her?

"Guards. Bind her, and take her to the dungeons of my father."

His youngest guard, Estelmist nervously walked towards the Lady. With a rope in his hand. Angrily the Lady hissed and jumped back. Her guard, Kaylanya shouted for the rest of the guard to get to their Lady's side. The Lady, however, waved them off.

"Do not make this hard on yourself, she-elf. If you resist, we will kill you without a second thought." Thranduil said, inches from her ear.

"If he touches me with that rope, he will lose the hand that carries it." she said, defiantly.

Estelmist was at her side, and was given a nod from his King and Commander, he reached out...But as soon as he did, in a beautifully arced movement, the Lady drew dual daggers, and took the hand of the young elf. He fell to ground, holding the bleeding stump that once held his hand, and cried out in pain and shock.

Thranduil stared at the Lady in shock, and in a tiny bit of awe at her grace in movement. He hardly knew what had happened before he saw his young guard on the ground. "Take him to the healing house, all of you. Leave her to me." His guard left with the bleeding Estelmist.

"What happens now, Oh great King of the Wood?" she spat, as she wiped the blood off of her daggers on her leg.

"I will not bind you. You and your party will follow to my home and keep, and you will be brought to the dungeon. If you do not come peacefully with me now, I will call out all of my forces, and we will hunt you down like the foul beast that you are." he said in a sickly sweet voice.

The Lady looked to her people and said a few hurried words.

"You will take me, and my Captain, Kaylanya. Let the others go. " she said.

Thranduil smiled, and bowed mockingly to her. "Come. Stay on the path."


Legolas finally closed the book and began to laugh. This dangerous, brutal woman his father came upon in the Wood could not be the one who was his mother. He knew that he should stop his reading, and return to his duties...but he had so many questions to ask. He saw his father, out on a pah by the stream, looking up at him. Then Legolas thought: "Maybe my learning of this will make my father care more for me."

He put on his boots and cloak, and left his chambers to begin another scouting expedition. One to the edge of the Wood. He longed to see where the Lady came from. Where it all began.