We're continuing right along with this odd little story of ours. I really enjoy writing this one, mostly because it lets me express my own inspiration as well as finding ways to stay within a set parameter (namely not getting too far away from the canon). Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy!

This chapter follows along closer to the original canon of Lord of the Rings, but it also has themes of the Hobbit thrown in there as well, obviously, because there's a lot of crossing between lines in this story.


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Chapter Four: In Which an Elf Prince Faces His Father


Legolas landed gracefully and poised, balanced perfectly on his feet, as lithe as a cat. No sooner than he had, then had a sharp rap been given to his head. He reached up and rubbed the smarting spot and frowned up at the very angry gray wizard, who had hit him over the head with his staff. The wizard's face was flushed with worry. His mother-hen nature had gotten the better of him after all.

"Fool of an elf," Gandalf cried. "What in creation's name did you think you were doing? You ran off to talk to a dragon? A dragon? You could have been killed! Do you have any idea of how worried I was? I had to send Tauriel away with the horses before she could barge in there after you! You are rash and blind! Do that again and you will not be forgiven!"

"I was fine," Legolas insisted. "It was quite an interesting encounter actually."

"I don't care if you spoke to all of the gods personally," Gandalf cried. "If you ever do that again I'll...I'll..."

The wizard obviously didn't know what he was going to do. He'd never been in this situation before. He'd never had to worry about the careful son of Thranduil. He paused a moment, looking at the elf as he stood up. He'd never had to think about punishing him. What had made him run off this way?

"What in heaven's name did you think you were doing?" Gandalf asked, more carefully this time, but in a no nonsense way. "Why did you come to the dragon?"

"Well," Legolas sighed. "I had a suspicion that I had to check out. And it turns out I was right. The dragon is guarding something. And I think you know what." he lowered his voice. "It was there Gandalf. He showed it to me. The One Ring."

The Wizard paled again, and his nervous hands reached out and touched the elf's face, looking him over quickly for any signs of the terrible effects of the Ring. There were none, though the elf seemed pale. Gandalf was after all, strangely protective of Legolas. He had helped raise him after all, and he knew his character well. He was not one to lie.

"You are sure?" he asked.

"It could be no other," Legolas replied. "I saw the eye."

Gandalf shielded his eyes as if he had seen the terrible eye as well. He knew of it. It was a truly terrible force. He stood that way for a moment, and then he looked up at the elf again. He looked the elf up and down again, as if he did not trust his eyes to tell him that the prince was indeed alright.

"And the dragon guards it?" Gandalf asked.

"Yes," Legolas said. "I trust him with it. He told me of his time in death, and I told him my story and my name. He is trustworthy. I have befriended him, and I feel that he will keep his word."

"Befriended a dragon?" Gandalf cried, surprised. He looked at the elf's face, but he was completely serious. "Very well. I will trust your judgment Thranduilion. You know now what must happen after this, though I doubt this happened before." (Thranduilion translates as Son of Thranduil)

"It did not," Legolas relented. "But someone will come here to take the Ring. A halfling. You will know him, and you must lead him here. But only when the time comes. Seek out Thorin, son of Thrain. You must bring him here, with twelve others and yourself. The king under the mountain must return."

"I understand," Gandalf replied. "I will leave as soon as I am able to. I will go and seek him out. I do not know his importance in this, but then again, I know nothing much in times like these. They are so strange."

"I think you will find that you know more of what to do than you think," Legolas said. "But come, we must return to the halls of my father. We have been gone for far too long. Look the sun rises on another day! We must return and set his mind at ease, as well as go on into our separate paths."

"They will cross again I'm sure," Gandalf said. "I will leave now. I will take Farseer, tell your father I will return him when I am able."

"I will," Legolas replied.

The two of them turned and ran on to find Tauriel and the horses. They found her fuming a little ways away. She turned when she saw Legolas, absolutely furious with him. But she saw the look on Gandalf's face and fell silent, confusion passing over her face suddenly. He ran to Farseer and mounted him, riding away without another word. She turned to Legolas, looking at him for an answer.

"What has happened?" she asked.

"Come, I will tell you everything before my father," Legolas said. "You must wait until then. But now we must ride with all haste back to our halls. I had not thought that the evil had spread this far..."

Tauriel asked nothing else as he swung up onto Eros' back. Eros pawed the ground, feeling the nervousness of his rider and ready to carry him to where he desired. She swung up onto Sparrowhawk's back, and Legolas gave the command for Eros to go onward. The horse instantly shot off, followed closely by Sparrowhawk as Tauriel gave her the command to go forward as well. The two horses took off quickly, and soon they were rocketing towards the forest. They would follow the river that led right to their stronghold, for the knew the way from there. It was a longer road than the one they had taken before, but they knew it well and so did the horses, so it could be traveled quickly.

Their pace was reckless, but Legolas felt nervous with all the knowledge he had gained, and with his rider so nervous Eros refused to slow his pace until he felt safe again. Tauriel was very perplexed, but she dutifully followed Legolas as always. Soon they had reached the trees and went crashing on. The rocks near the edge were wet with foam from the frothing river, but the horses were surefooted and did not fear the roaring water, so they went plunging onwards, heedless of their proximity to an untimely death.

As they were running, Sparrowhawk shied a little, though she didn't check her pace. Legolas glanced down to see a silver wolf and a dark brown one, Hunter and his mate Sky. They were getting old, though their lives were bound to his father and they would live until he died. They ran beside the two horses, saying nothing. Legolas could feel the disappointment from Hunter and the worry from Sky, since he had long been raised with the wolves and he knew their mental links though he wasn't connected to him. Hunter was disappointed because they had worried his father, and Sky loved Legolas and Tauriel like her own pups, so like a mother she worried over them. The wolves ran on either side of Eros, panting a little. But they were fast and kept up with the horses' reckless pace, rocketing on beside them through the forest.

They soon reached the front gates of the palace, and the guards threw the doors open and jumped out of the way. The horses and wolves clattered in through the gate, and the horses pranced around somewhat nervously before their riders could calm them, patting their flanks. The two elves leaped from the backs of the horses, who were then led away to rest in the stables again. Legolas waved away the questions from the guards and walked on, turning towards the throne room, where he knew his father would be waiting.

Within the throne room, Legolas paused a moment, and so did Tauriel. Lord Elrond was here, a tall and fair half elf from the valley with dark brown eyes and reddish brown hair. Here also was his daughter, Arwen, the evenstar, a tall and beautiful elf with long dark brown hair and blue eyes. Where the twins were, Legolas wasn't sure. But then he saw his friend, Aragorn.
He was a human Ranger, taken in by Lord Elrond many years ago. He was getting older, but he was still handsome and had longer brown hair and dark green eyes, piercing and perceiving. He had been running from his lineage for a long time, but eventually Legolas knew that he would have to return to the throne of Gondor. It had been many years since he had seen him, and Legolas recognized him now from one of his dreams as one of the men who went with him to Mordor. He felt a little gladder to know that he would not be alone in his strange quest.

Hunter and Sky walked on, past Lord Elrond and Aragorn, to Thranduil, who was standing not far off. Thranduil looked towards the wolves, then looked up in fury at his son. However his eyes softened soon afterwords. He couldn't stay mad at Legolas. The others turned to see Legolas with Tauriel, but their faces were grave. Tauriel ducked her head and made a move to leave.

"Remain where you are Tauriel," Thranduil said. The Silvan elf bowed her head a little and remained very still. Thranduil turned his eyes to his son. "And where have you been all this time?"

"Conversing with a dragon," Legolas replied. They must have all thought he was joking because they didn't respond to this particular piece of information.

"Where is Gandalf?" Elrond asked.

"He left," Legolas responded. "There was something he had to do. He will return Farseer when he has a chance. Oh yes, and I've canceled any further shipments from Laketown concerning those jewels."

"No matter," Thranduil replied, not at all mindful of the jewels. "Where have you been? I have told Lord Elrond and those here the matter of this crisis of time that we face. We all know that the Ring must be destroyed, and you are the only that knows who goes on this quest to do this. We cannot wait much longer."

"The enemy's strength grows," Elrond said. "We must stop him."

"I've already told you where I have been," Legolas replied, starting to grow a little frustrated. "And I have already set into motion the events that must take place for the Ring to be destroyed. Do you think I have been idle? This Ring haunts my dreams." Suddenly, Arwen paled as she realized what he had been saying.

"You mean," she said. "You actually spoke to him? To Smaug?"

The silence around the room was oppressive. Everyone paled at the thought, even Tauriel, and they turned to look at Legolas. But again, there was no lie in his eyes. He met his father's eyes.

"Yes I did," Legolas said. "And he is guarding the Ring."

"You fool," his father growled. "You cannot trust a dragon with such a weapon!"

"You must listen to me," Legolas cried. For a moment there was silence as the father and son battled with their wills. The house of Elrond fell silent, never before having seen such defiance towards his father from Legolas. Hunter and Sky looked up as well. "Listen. I know this seems like madness, but that dragon does not want to hurt anyone. He has memories from his time in death, because he did die before. He guards the Ring from Sauran. He knows it is evil. Soon Gandalf will bring those to the Lonely Mountain who must begin this journey, twelve dwarves and one halfling. It is they who begins the Ring on the right path. The dragon will give the Ring to its bearer when I ask it of him, for I befriended that dragon. Now though, we must wait until the time is right to act further."

For a moment no one spoke and no one moved. There was complete silence. Legolas could tell that his father did not like the idea. He had been so protective of him since his mother had given her life to save him. He had always been so protective of him. But then Thranduil looked up and met his son's gaze. He was surprised to see the determination and conviction in his gaze. He hadn't realized how much his son had grown up. Legolas was still young, but he knew that he was oddly wise for his age, wiser than he was. At last he turned away, turning his eyes towards heaven and wondering silently to his wife how their son had gotten to be so wise.

"You are sure of this?" Thranduil asked. Elrond turned to look at him. He had heard the wisdom in Legolas' voice and wondered at it. He was nervous of the dragon, but at the same time, he realized there was no deceit in Legolas' eyes, so he must have been sure.

"Yes," Legolas replied, though his voice had softened again.

"Very well," Thranduil said. "I will trust your judgment on this for once my Greenleaf. Do not prove me wrong. Tauriel, make sure he doesn't get into any more trouble than he needs to."

"Yes my Lord," Tauriel replied with a smile.

"I will not disappoint you Ada," Legolas said. Thranduil didn't make a move at all to say that he had heard his son.

"Come Elrond," Thranduil said. "You said you had matters to discuss at hand. It is time I think we discussed them then."

Elrond followed Thranduil farther into the royal chambers, leaving the younger elves and the man behind. For a moment there was silence, and then the beautiful evenstar turned to Legolas, stepping forward and holding her hand out to her foster brother. Aragorn stepped forward and reached out his own hand, hers hovered over his. The two Mirkwood elves paused and looked at them, and they both smiled brightly.

"I know you do not know," Arwen said. "But it has been decided, and Ada approves. Aragorn and I have pledged ourselves to each other."

The two elves watched them for a moment, staring at them with very surprised. But the two of them looked undeniably happy. Legolas and Tauriel both smiled broadly as well.

"I am happy for you," Legolas said.

"Though, he is human and you are not," Tauriel said, bringing up a slightly painful point.

"It does not matter," Arwen said suddenly, looking at Aragorn. "I would rather spend one life time with him, then face all the years of this world alone." She looked at Legolas. "I choose a mortal life."

"You cannot," Aragorn said. "Not yet. Not with this danger so near."

"And if not now, when?" Arwen asked.

"Don't start arguing now," Legolas laughed. "You'll have plenty of time for that." Arwen smiled at Legolas.

"What about you?" she asked. "Why should you and Tauriel not pledge yourselves to each other?" The Silvan elf suddenly turned three shades of red darker.

"I could not," she cried. "I-I would not dare. Besides the king has forbid it."

"Why should you listen always to Thranduil?" Aragorn asked. "He should not dictate your whole life."

"No," Legolas said. "I could not do that either. Because I remember from the past that she is destined for another. A rather strange bondage, but a pure one none the less."

"What?" Tauriel asked. "Who?" Legolas simply smiled and ducked away from her. She chased after him, blushing deeply, trying to catch him, but the prince danced around her grasp with quick dance like steps.

"You will see soon," he laughed. "Patience my Silvan elf."

"Legolas," she cried, making Arwen and Aragorn laugh.

Enough, Hunter suddenly said. It was accompanied by a low growl, since the only one who had a mental link with him in the room was Legolas. They all stopped though and turned to him. He looked at Legolas quite seriously. Come here my Prince.

Legolas nodded and crossed the room to the wolf. He knelt down in front of the wolf, his face inches from the wolf's face. It was a display of trust, for the wolf could easily maim or kill him with it so close. It had first been tried by a king long ago, when he first found that the wolf did not kill him. Legolas glanced down at Sky, who's face was radiant, in what could almost be called a smile. He turned his eyes back to Hunter, and spoke the traditional phrase.

"I hear you," he said. "I see you. I feel you."

And I with you little one, he replied. Then he glanced at his mate. These times are dangerous my young prince. And it is dangerous for you to go alone. In times like these I know it is rare that you would live to see your days as king. But you are wiser than most, and I feel you are ready.

My prince, Sky said in her sweet voice. I know that it is time now. You must come with us, for the way is long. But there are many strong young wolves for you to chose from. The others couldn't understand what was going on, but they saw the very surprised look on Legolas' face.

"You are sure?" he asked.

Of course we are, Hunter said with a gentle growl. Now listen well. You will chose the male. It is always the male. And he will have a mate already, and if he does not you will chose his mate for him. You must feel his heart. Feel the wild within him. It must match your own heart. Now come. We leave now.

Legolas nodded and stood. He glanced at the others and motioned for them to stay. Sky and Hunter both stood, leaping towards the stairs. They both glanced over their shoulders at him to follow them, so he leaped off after them, as lithe as a mountain cat. The others watched him run on, but they did not follow. The wolves kept their pace relatively slow so that he could keep up. Legolas paused in the main hall, and Eros was brought to him. The horse was tired, but he was willing to go anywhere that Legolas was. The elf patted the horse's face, and then swung up onto his back. The wolves led him out into the forest.

The elf gave him a simple command, to follow the wolves. And he did, following them over leap and under every tree. The poor elf couldn't have found his way back if he had tried. He simply followed the ever distant forms of the two wolves, always within his sight. Soon however, he found the place where the wolves were waiting. He swung off of Eros' back and stepped up next to them. Hunter turned to face him.

Now listen well, He said. You will know your partners by your heart. You will feel many minds reaching out to you, but only one will truly be yours. He will be most like you, and his mate will be like the woman you will one day look for. He will know you, and you will know him. Then when you're sure, you will find him among the others, and kneel before him, saying the words. If he accepts you, he will bow and repeat them to you.

Don't worry, Sky said. It's not all that hard. You will find your partners, and then we will teach you how to be one with them. Good luck my prince.

She licked his hand gently, wagging her tail patiently at him. He smiled a little, thinking how much she really was like his mother. Then he turned and walked forward. He found many wolves here, all different sizes and colors. They all turned to look at him. Some wagged their tails, recognizing him. Others ducked their heads and whined, backing away. One or two snarled at him, though not in an overly threateningly way. Just as Hunter said, many minds reached towards him through the masses. He paused under the weight of all of it. But then he shook his head and concentrated.

It was hard with so many voices in his head. Very hard. But he looked around slowly, trying to find the one wolf that he knew would be perfect for him. Some were dangerous. Some were wise. But these were too old. Some were quick, and others were sharp, but these were females. Then Legolas paused, and the wolves paused too, noticing that he had honed in on one mind in particular. They watched him carefully. He had found a mind, a male mind. He was a younger wolf, only a year old or so, an adult, but barely. He was cunning and brave, but he was also very kind. Legolas knew that he was the one. Didn't people say the same about him all the time? The same determination and courage. He began looking through the crowd of wolves, all the while sensing that Hunter and Sky were watching and that Eros was ready to charge in should the wolves prove hostile.

He found him, a larger wolf, that was a dark black color. He walked to the wolf, and watched him a moment. The golden eyes met his own, and there was a very intelligent spark in his eyes. Legolas was sure it was him. He knelt down in front of the wolf, their eyes level, and he spoke very quietly.

"I hear you," he said. "I see you. I feel you."

There was silence suddenly. Nothing seemed to move, and there was hardly any stirring of breath within the space. The wolf watched him a moment, sizing him up. Legolas felt the mind he had chosen reach out to him curiously and truly feel his mind. Legolas found it a little strange the bond he could make with the wolves. It was very strange magic in his line. He had never really paid attention to the lessons concerning it. He would have to ask again and be sure to listen this time. At last, the wolf bowed his head to him.

And I with you, my prince, a strong male voice replied. My name is Zero.

"Hello my friend," Legolas said quietly with a smile. The wolf watched him a moment.

I do not understand why you have chosen me, Zero said. But I will ask the king's wolves why it is so. My mate is called Crystal. She will come if I call her.

"Do so," Legolas said, glancing back at Hunter and Sky. Sky was wagging her tail excitedly and proudly, and Hunter nodded to the elf.

Zero raised his head, and a quivering howl left his lips, rising up into the air and disappearing. His head fell again and he looked at the elf prince. His eyes met the elf's and he looked at him long. The other wolves started returning to the tasks they had done before, though some threw some looks towards Zero that Legolas could only call jealousy. Out of the brush a pretty little female wolf appeared, all white in color. She paused as she saw Legolas, and looked at Zero.

He has chosen me, Zero said in explanation. The female wolf stared at her mate a moment, and then leaped forward, wagging her tail and licking his face.

I told you, Crystal cried happily. I told you that you were destined for greatness. I always thought so. You just needed a time to shine. Then she turned to Legolas and bowed her head as well, unable to hide her happiness. The elf smiled brightly at her. I am Crystal, though I think you know. I am glad that you have chosen him. We will be sure to serve you as best as we can.

Children, Hunter called. Come here.

He had a perfect right to call them all that. He was over two thousand years old. The elf and the two wolves walked over to the older wolf. He nodded towards the ground, and Legolas sat down. The two wolves sat next to him, awkwardly not touching him for the moment. The wolf looked at them a moment, then nodded.

They are a good pair, Hunter said. You chose well.

Of course you did, Sky said, smiling. Your mother would be proud Legolas. The elf smiled a little sadly at her, but not too sadly, for he knew that her life was happier now.

Now listen, Hunter said. The bond is precious. You must cherish it. Legolas, as prince you must rule wisely, and you two must follow his rule and protect him, for he is more friend than master. The bond was made when you accepted each other, and it will never break, not until death. You are a pack, and you will protect each other like a pack. This bond was made when this kingdom was young, and the wolves and elves had to join forces or die against the threats of the evil that is once again beginning to stalk this land. It is an old spell, for to understand one another the elf and the wolf had to give each other half of their own hearts. Since then, the descendants of both of these lines have been able to communicate the same way, for the magic is strong.

Magic is strange to me, Zero admitted.

But not to elves, Hunter said with a patient smile. You will grow used to it. We must begin your training at once. But first let us return. I think we have thoroughly confused everyone enough for one day. Come children. Let us go.

Legolas nodded and stood, walking over to Eros. He swung up onto the horse's back. Both Zero and Crystal looked at Eros with a little wonder, for they had never seen an elvish horse so close, or run beside one. They worried a moment how he would fare. Would he spook and fear them? They feared for Legolas, because they were greatly honored that he had chosen them. But when they came close he didn't spook. He even nosed them away gently a little with annoyance when they sniffed around his ankles. He wasn't afraid of them at all. Satisfied by this, they nodded to Hunter and Sky, who then took off running. Legolas commanded the horse to follow, and soon Zero and Crystal caught up with the running horse.

Through their connection Legolas smiled to feel their joy at running, at being free. They really were such amazing creatures, and never before had be been so close in connection with them for so long, to feel their emotions blazing across the mental link. It was a glorious feeling. But it also made him a little nervous. This hadn't happened before. He couldn't even remember the wolves. Did that mean that he needed more help? That things were not happening the way they should once again? Legolas wasn't sure what to make of any of this. Crystal and Zero looked up at the elf, feeling the utter chaos that was his thoughts. It confused them as well, which in turn did not help Legolas one bit. He sighed, supposing that he would have to grow to understand the connection more before that happened.

The Prince leaped off of the horse's steaming back, patting Eros' nose apologetically before turning and walking inside the gates. The guards asked no questions, though they did turn to look with interest at the two new wolves. They both ducked their heads and followed Legolas inside. Legolas sighed, looking down at the two nervous wolves. They had never been in a place like this before, and they weren't sure what to do surrounded by so many elves bustling everywhere. Hunter touched his leg with his nose.

Tomorrow we will begin your training, he said simply. And then the wolf and his mate were gone like a breath of wind.


More random OC characters? It will be explained somewhat in the next chapter how the wolves became the companions to the kings of Mirkwood, and Legolas will figure out why these wolves were made to be this way for him specifically. In the next chapter, Legolas will have some training with his wolves, as well as tell Aragorn what he knows and that he has to join him on the quest. But being the good friend Aragorn is, he of course accepts.

Anyway, tell me below how you think the story is so far. Is it interesting? Weird? Do you like it? I would love to hear from some of my readers!